Winner of the 2023 Landfall Essay Competition

Posted: Tuesday Nov 28, 2023

Congratulations to Siobhan Harvey for her powerful essay, ‘A Jigsaw of Broken Things’

Siobhan Harvey calls for the protection of queer community in her winning essay, using her own memories like stepping stones as she examines the violence and prejudices that continue to repress queer communities worldwide.

“As someone who came out at a time of unadulterated political, cultural, psychological, and physical brutality, revulsion and spite against queer people, I had to write against the rejuvenation of hardcore opposition to and oppression against the community still; I felt a duty to do so.”

“It’s less a message than a provocation and call for change. As someone who has experienced and continues to live with some of the most damaging consequences of bigotry against queer people (for there are fewer more destructive outcomes of intolerance than prolonged rejection by one’s parents and birthplace), I know that the status of queer people in society must change for their betterment.”

Siobhan’s winning essay can be found in Landfall 246: Spring 246 edited by Lynley Edmeades

Read more about Siobhan's winning essay here: oup.nz/2023-landfall-essay-winner

Read an extract of Siobhan’s essay on Kete Books: Extract — ‘A Jigsaw of Broken Things’ winner of the 2023 Landfall Essay Competition — Kete Books