Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

Feminism: chat

Original poster

Polari prize nominees withdraw over inclusion of 'terf' John Boyne

235 replies

QAOPspaceman · 11/08/2025 16:57

A third of the nominated authors and a judge have withdrawn from the Polari prize because John Boyne, apparently a self-confessed terf (!) and friend of JK Rowling (!!!), is nominated. He wrote The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas and has previously said "while I will happily employ any term that a person feels best defines them... I reject the notion that someone can force an unwanted term on to another" so is clearly a fascist.

Have never read his stuff but am tempted to order his complete works immediately.

https://www.thebookseller.com/news/polari-prize-will-review-processes-after-a-third-of-nominated-authors-withdraw-books-from-longlist

https://archive.ph/J39nH

OP posts:
Thread gallery
23
Cazziebo · 11/08/2025 17:41

@QAOPspaceman You're missing out! He's a fantastic writer. I've not long finished All the Broken Places which I could hardly put down. I've read a few of his books and they're all good.

Hope he wins.

Highlandhardrain · 11/08/2025 17:40

WinterTrees · 11/08/2025 17:38

I can't read the article, does it say which authors have pulled out?

Yes I would be interested to know this too.

WinterTrees · 11/08/2025 17:38

I can't read the article, does it say which authors have pulled out?

INeedAPensieve · 11/08/2025 17:36

How utterly deranged of them. I hope John doesn't pull out because of this and takes heart that they are very much overreacting and being ridiculous. So many of us can see it.

hholiday · 11/08/2025 17:13

I can only read a limited section of the story but I do find it so worrying that so many of the people who are meant to be promoting freedom of speech are so hardline and intolerant. I disagree with the Tra position but I would never take action to try to block people from having that debate. It’s like people can’t bear to countenance that some opinions may differ from theirs so they just blacklist people with such damaging consequences, not just for individuals but also freedom of expression. I hope John wins - and not just because I love his work.

ClunkyPigeon · 11/08/2025 17:10

Oh merrily destroying a prize celebrating their own community, are they? Foot, meet bullet.

Theswiveleyeballsinthesky · 11/08/2025 17:06

But but but I thought the LGBTQIA2S community was all one big happy rainbow mutually supportive family

I'm shocked! shocked I tell you that that only applies if you deny biological reality otherwise you can go straight under the virtue bus

WeirdyBeardyMarrowBabyLady · 11/08/2025 17:02

He’s a fabulous writer. This era of demanding ‘moral purity’ from creatives otherwise they’re cancelled can’t end soon enough.

wimonnzy · 11/08/2025 17:02

Good ole JB.

OP, I can recommend "The Hearts Invisible Furies", and "The Echo Chamber"

Get reading them immediately!

nomorenomoreme · 11/08/2025 16:58

Oh Good! A ‘Terf’ had more chance of winning then : )

Swipe left for the next trending thread