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Jon Ransom and Julia Armfield announced as winners of the 2023 Polari Prizes, which celebrate LGBTQ+ literature

Graham Robson November 24, 2023

Returning to the British Library for the winners’ ceremony, Jon Ransom and Julia Armfield were announced as the winners of the 2023 Polari Prizes – the UK’s only awards celebrating literature exploring the LGBTQ+ experience. Ransom took home the Polari First Book Prize for his “mesmerising” tale of grief and love, The Whale Tattoo (Muswell Press), and […]

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Books

Ian Eagleton releases “inclusive and beautifully written” new book, ‘Glitter Boy’

Graham Robson April 18, 2023

“Inclusive and beautifully written”, Glitter Boy tells the story of James, an 11-year-old boy who loves dancing, poetry and Mariah Carey and is desperately trying to find his place in the world. As well as trying to deal with homophobic bullying, James is also experiencing turmoil in his life which he’s struggling to understand and express.

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Books

Polari Literary Salon – host to the UK’s only book prizes for emerging and established LGBTQ+ writers – opens its call to publishers for this year’s awards

Graham Robson March 10, 2023

This year there will be two awards: the Polari First Book Prize and the Polari Prize. The Polari Children’s and YA Prize will return in 2024, as a bi-annual award for books for children and young adults with LGBTQ+ themes or representation.

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Arts

Owain Wyn Evans to share Polari crash course ahead of BBC Radio Manchester Pride show

Graham Robson August 28, 2020

Owain Wyn Evans to share a crash course in Polari with his followers on social media ahead of his special Manchester Pride show on BBC Radio Manchester on Saturday, August 29 from 2pm.

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Arts

BOOK REVIEW: The Story of Polari, Britain’s Secret Gay Language by Paul Baker

September 14, 2019

With a cast of drag queens and sailors, Dilly boys and macho clones, Fabulosa! is an essential document of recent history and a fascinating and fantastically readable account of this funny, filthy, and ingenious language

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Arts

PREVIEW: Fabulosa! The Story of Polari, Britain’s Secret Gay Language @Conway Hall

Besi Besemar July 10, 2019

Polari is a language that was used chiefly by gay men in the first half of the twentieth century. At a time when being gay could result in criminal prosecution – or worse – Polari offered its speakers a degree of public camouflage, a way of expressing humour, and a means of identification and of establishing a community.

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Arts

PREVIEW: Balans Soho presents new work by the artist, Villain

Besi Besemar January 16, 2019

Balans Soho Society will host an exhibition of new work by the artist, Villain entitled Retrosexual from February 1, 2019. ‘Retrosexual’ addresses contemporary issues of racism, homophobia and body shaming while gleefully honouring a rapidly disappearing subculture.

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