BIZARRE: Polari org - You Need To See This

Polari book prize cancelled after row over gender-critical novelist

Organisers of the award for LGBTQ+ writers have paused the prize this year, after controversy over the longlisting of John Boyne meant it was ‘overshadowed by hurt and anger’

The Guardian - UK · Aug 19, 2025

UK’s LGBTQ+ literary prize cancelled after controversy over ‘gender critical’ author John Boyne

This year's Polari Prize has been cancelled due to the longlist inclusion of a book by John Boyne. The situation escalated into a mass boycott and now, the organisation behind the LGBTQ+ literary award has pledged to undertake a full review of its policies. Here's everything you need to know.

Euronews · Aug 19, 2025

Why I withdrew my book from an LGBTQ+ literary prize

The Polari first book prize claims to promote trans rights and trans voices. But when I saw the longlist, I had to act, says Guardian writer Jason Okundaye

The Guardian - UK · Aug 15, 2025

Polari prize shortlists include Munroe Bergdorf, Jon Ransom and Lex Croucher

Prize founder Paul Burston says shortlisted books ‘remind us of the power of queer storytelling at a time when some would see our books and stories banned’

The Guardian - UK · Sep 30, 2024

Julia Armfield and Jon Ransom win the Polari prizes for LGBTQ+ books

Armfield’s novel Our Wives Under the Sea won the overall prize, while Ransom’s The Whale Tattoo took the first book award

The Guardian - UK · Nov 24, 2023