Canadian author of Nigerian descent Francesca Ekwuyasi, Ethiopian author Sulaiman Addonia, and Nigerian poet Romeo Oriogun are finalists for the 2021 Lambda Literary Award.

In its 33rd year, the Lambda Literary Award (aka Lammys) celebrates “the best lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender books,” from different genres across varied categories. In recent history, the Lammys has seen a consistent representation of Africans as nominees and sometimes winners, a phenomenon which we totally endorse.

Ekwuyasi is nominated in the category of ‘Lesbian Fiction’ for her debut novel Butter Honey Pig Bread, about a mother’s complex relationship with her twin daughters. We are very proud to have given Ekwuyasi one of her earliest platforms by publishing her funny, poignant short story ‘That Time, Before Before‘ far back in 2016.

Addonia is nominated in the category of ‘Bisexual Fiction’ for his novel Silence is My Mother Tongue, about a young girl’s heartbreaking trajectory with loss and identity. (Read our review here.)

Oriogun is nominated in the category of ‘Gay Poetry’ for his collection of poems Sacrament of Bodies, described as “an interrogation of queerness, masculinity and Nigeriannness”

“By celebrating LGBTQ books, we celebrate LGBTQ life,” said Sue Landers, executive director of Lambda Literary, “and as a community often under threat of legislative and actual violence, the Lammys offer a rare and necessary space where we come together in joy.”

Previously nominated/winning African writers include Chinelo Okparanta, Akwaeke Emezi, Chike Frankie Edozien, Deborah Levy, and the Gerald Kraak Award Anthology.

Finalists and winners will be celebrated in a virtual award ceremony on Monday, June 1st, 2021.

Go here for more details.