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Avi

@dravibenzeev

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Queer trans man, author, psychology professor, writing mentor & chocolate gummy bear connoisseur.

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As a queer trans man, the news of my place on the longlist for the 2025 Polari Book Prize felt like a prayer answered. At a time when trans rights, our very existence, are under threat, this esteemed and highly visible recognition of my memoir, Calling My Deadname Home, was just the affirmation I needed to keep writing, to believe in the possibility of more readers discovering trans stories, of hearing our voices.
But my dance-like-no-one-is-looking moment was cut short. John Boyne was also on the longlist. At first, I figured it was an oversight on the Polari Prize’s part. After all, the Irish Times article, featuring Boyne celebrating JK Rowling’s birthday – and stating, frankly and explicitly, that he disputes my basic human right to exist – was published after the longlist was released. Perhaps the prize administrators weren’t aware? But despite the evidence of the article, the resignation of a Polari Prize judge, the withdrawal of authors from the prize’s longlists, and pressure from the community, the Polari Prize has decided to keep Boyne on the longlist.
The Polari Prize might believe that Boyne’s name on the longlist means they are inclusive of authors with differing beliefs. But here’s the deal: holding transgender exclusionary beliefs does not stem from a healthy philosophical questioning of what gender means. I believe it’s a harmful, right-wing ideology that ignores scientific evidence and has been used as fuel for threatening, hateful actions against trans people.
James Baldwin’s quote comes to mind: “We can disagree and still love each other unless your disagreement is rooted in my oppression and denial of my humanity and right to exist.”
Yes, it’s appalling that the Polari Prize has not yet removed John Boyne from their longlist. I urge them to reconsider. And while I appreciate why some of my fellow longlisted authors have decided to absent themselves and their books from the Polari Prize this year—I love and see you—I have decided to stay, holding tight to this rollercoaster ride. You see, removing myself from the longlist would mean erasing my trans story, my voice. It would mean letting transphobic ideologues win.
#polariprize #trans by @dravibenzeev

Queer Sex Now. Please join us at Kings College, The Strand Campus. Monday November 2nd. Doors open 9.30am. Our panel - that includes papers by Jean Cleverly & Roisin Ryan Flood - starts at 10.15 am. It’s called How We Fuck. We get that it’s an unruly title. And an early start for such pithy chat. But we’ve been assured by Zeena, Jamie & John that it is a SYMPOSIUM. So expect some writing & ethereal debate not a multiple choice questionnaire or a munch. It’s up to you. It is free. We’ll be there in our lanyards & our specs. There’s a strong possibility of coffee. And cake.

Tix via @queeratkings

https://www.tickettailor.com/events/queerkings/2455736

@dravibenzeev
@jean_device69
@roisinryanflood
@_girlslike_us

#queersexnow #queeratkings #kingscollege #trans #nonbinary by @dravibenzeev

🛟Against the Odds🛟

Vital, thought provoking and inspiring conversation about the reality and complexity of growing up queer somewhere it was illegal and wasn't considered an option, and the process of writing a book about it. Tapping into the body and the senses to reconnect with memories. The value of telling marginalised stories. The value of resisting perfectionism.

With Majid Parsa (@majidparsa.author)
Avi Ben-Zeev (@dravibenzeev)
Musih Tedji Xaviere (@musih_tedji_xaviere)
Dr Nat Arias (@dr.lezboy)

"For me writing this book has helped a lot, I think it's the bravest thing I have ever done. Hiding was the only was I knew to survive. I could have been arrested for writing it and I did it anyway. That has changed me. It's the green flag I needed to go out into the world and be who I wanted to be. - Musih

"We do a disservice if we think of people, cultures and places in one dimensional ways. I owe a lot to where I grew up and my past self as well." - Avi

"People have an idea of growing up in Iran that is 'oh my god, are you ok? I'm so glad you made it here!'' but actually there was a lot that was hard, but there was also lots of love and joy. The queer scene in Tehan is amazing. There are fabulous parties. I didn't realise what a different ballgame it is to look at from the outside. It's all private, but things happen." - Majid

"If your straight children are not coming out I don't want to come out. Maybe one day I will just show up with a partner and we will not discuss it. - Musih

#tciq26 #QueerWriters by @dravibenzeev

🛟Queer Masculinities🛟

Fascinating conversations on versions of what masculinity and queer masculinity mean and can be, when dividing attributes by gender is hierarchical nonsense, and personal and creative explorations of what being a queer masculine person can mean.

With:

Finn McKay (@drfinnmackay)
Avi Ben-Zeev (@dravibenzeev)
Kenya Sterling (@abstractkid_)
Nick McGlynn

"If you were never meant to have it or you were always told you were doing it wrong, there is distance in that where you can get some perspective on what you want to take from it and what you don't." - Finn Mackay

"When we step into a more authentic self we want people to see we have come home" - Avi Ben Zeev

"Sometimes in queer spaces we are quite reluctant to have difficult conversations with people who aren't like us." - Kenya

#tciq26 #QueerMasculinity by @dravibenzeev

🛟Queer Masculinities🛟

Join writers, academics and creatives Finn Mackay (@drfinnmackay), Avi Ben-Zeev (@dravibenzeev) and Kenya Sterling (@abstractkid_), for a wide-ranging conversation on the shifting, plural and often contested terrain of queer masculinities, chaired by Nick McGlynn.

Coming from differing perspectives and experiences of the queer masculine, they will explore how masculinity is constructed, policed and reimagined.

🛟The Coast Is Queer 2026 15-18 October

🌊Friday, 16 October, 6:00PM-7:15PM

🌊1-Day Passes and Tickets on Sale Now!

🛟Workshop: Remapping Masculinity🛟

This creative collage workshop with Kenya Sterling and Sega H, rooted in the transmasculine experience, will provide space to reflect on our inherited and learnt masculinities, with the aims to reimagining a masculinity which aligns with our desired queer futures.

Open to anyone who identifies with masculinity or experiences life as a masculine person.

All workshop attendees will receive a complimentary ticket to the Queer Masculinities Panel.

🛟The Coast Is Queer 2026 15-18 October

🌊Friday, 16 October, 1:30PM-3:00PM

🌊1-Day Passes and Tickets on Sale Now! by @dravibenzeev

🛟Against The Odds🛟

What happens when you discover you are queer in an environment where it is outlawed, shamed, silenced, even punishable by death? Some circumstances turn growing up LGBTQ+ and building an authentic life into a struggle against tremendous odds. And yet wherever these challenges exist, queer lives, loves and communities find a way.

Join Musih Tedji Xaviere (@musih_tedji_xaviere), Majid Parsa (@majidparsa.author), Avi Ben-Zeev (@dravibenzeev) and Dr Nat Arias (@dr.lezboy) for this powerful conversation.

🛟The Coast Is Queer 2026 15-18 October
🌊Saturday, 17 October, 12:00PM-1:15PM
🌊(VERY LAST) 3-Day Festival Passes, plus 1-Day Passes and Tickets on Sale Now! by @dravibenzeev

🛟Queer Masculinities🛟

Join writers, academics and creatives Finn Mackay (@drfinnmackay), Avi Ben-Zeev (@dravibenzeev) and Kenya Sterling (@abstractkid_), for a wide-ranging conversation on the shifting, plural and often contested terrain of queer masculinities, Chaired by Nick McGlynn.

Coming from differing perspectives and experiences of the masculine, they will explore how masculinity is constructed, policed and reimagined, and how queer, trans and butch lesbian lives disrupt these structures in everyday, embodied ways.

🛟The Coast Is Queer 2026 15-18 October
🌊Friday, 16 October, 6:00PM-7:15PM
🌊(VERY LAST) 3-Day Festival Passes, plus 1-Day Passes and Tickets on Sale Now! by @dravibenzeev

December 25, 2025. London. Avi and me. 2 trans writers “tight as tulips” walked to St Paul’s. Cold, bright day. Neither of us cooks. Neither of us ever had a Catholic Christmas. At our seats, under the dome, we marvelled at the candles and the choir and the etchings. Avi found a hot priest. I avoided communion. Later, we watched Knives Out 3 with Josh O’Connor and Glenn Close. We ate together. We raised a glass. We opened gifts.

I wrote about our day:
leather lane

Poetry A Table picked it up.
Thanks for the inclusion 🍽️ !

The Table Between Us is out in July.
95 poems.
Artists from across the 🌏
Launches:
Barcelona 20th & 23rd July.

Dedicated to the Prof Ben-Zeev with all the love always. 💗💗💗

@dravibenzeev
@poetry.table
@twentyten.edt
@kine.iset

#pridemonth🌈 #transwriters #poetry #poetryatable by @dravibenzeev

Hi fabulous folks, I'm honored to be giving the Derek Jarman Lecture @queeratkings on 16 March 2026, 6pm-8pm.

The talk is trans* and queer centric, and allies are invited too ;)

Tickets are free, but please book a slot:
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/queerkings/2062769

There'll be a Q&A, reception, and plenty of opportunities to socialize, so do join and mingle.

Would love to see you there! by @dravibenzeev

by @dravibenzeev

Readers are the meaning makers.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DOn1-J1DOMA/?igsh=MW5zOXA1MmNzejN5OA== #reading #writingcommunity #art #meaning by @dravibenzeev

I am heartbroken that this year’s Polari Prize has been cancelled, and that the organisers failed to show up and demonstrate moral leadership and unity in the face of hatred - even when so many authors on the longlist publicly demonstrated that they will not tolerate the platforming of ideologues that seek to harm trans and nonbinary people.

My trans memoir, Calling My Deadname Home, has now been “put on pause,” which feels like another form of erasure.

But my existence is not up for debate. I’ll only get louder and more joyous.

In solidarity with my longlisted authors and my trans and nonbinary siblings.

#polariprize #transrightsarehumanrights #speaktruth by @dravibenzeev