Overview

• The 2025 LGBTQ+ literary award was paused on 18 August after John Boyne’s novella Earth was placed on the longlist.
• Boyne posted on X that “perhaps there is no such thing as LGBTQ+” and said he refused to withdraw, calling critics’ response “Trumpian.”
• Several longlisted writers, including Jason Okundaye and Sanah Ahsan, and two judges pulled out in protest over Boyne’s inclusion.
• JK Rowling described opponents of Boyne as “tinpot tyrants” and praised him as a talented and decent writer.
• Polari said it will review policies to better support LGBTQ+ authors, including plans to increase trans and gender non-conforming representation among judges.