Jul 27 2023 45 mins
About this Episode
Welcome to another episode of the Queer Magic Podcast, where we dive into the powerful and transformative stories of Queer magical individuals. In today's episode, entitled "All Boys Aren't Blue," we explore the journey of an incredible author, George M. Johnson, who has dared to challenge the status quo through their thought-provoking book.
George shares the highs and lows of their experience, discussing how their book has been received by young adults who find solace and inspiration in its pages. However, they also uncover the dark underbelly of book bans and censorship, as certain parents and society attempt to suppress their powerful message.
George is no stranger to standing up against oppressive actions. We learn how they are fighting against book bans in the United States, drawing parallels to the banning of books in Nazi Germany. Their book, which has become the second most banned book in the country, solidifies their title as the most banned black author.
Listen as George delves into their family background and how their family embraced and supported their writing, even through challenging and emotional sections.
We also get a glimpse into the process of writing the book and George shares about their transition from journalism to crafting a deeply personal and revealing memoir. George shares their fears, the uncertainties they faced, and moments of vulnerability they encountered along the way, culminating in an empowering and honest book that has changed lives.
Prepare to be captivated by this extraordinary journey as George touches on themes of resilience, the power of words, and the impact of societal expectations.
About My Guest
George M Johnson is an Award-Winning Black Non-Binary Writer, Author, and Executive Producer located in the LA area. They are the author of the New York Times Bestselling Author of the Young Adult memoir All Boys Aren’t Blue discussing their adolescence growing up as a young Black Queer boy in New Jersey through a series of powerful essays. The book was optioned for Television by Gabrielle Union.
As a former journalist, George has written for major outlets including Teen Vogue, Entertainment Tonight, NBC, Buzzfeed, and in 2019 was awarded the Salute to Excellence Award by the National Association of Black Journalists for their article “When Racism Anchors your Health” in Vice Magazine.
George was listed on The Root 100 Most Influential African Americans in 2020. The Out 100 Most Influential LGBTQ People in 2021. And in 2022 was honored as one of the TIME100 Next Most Influential People in the World.
Their second memoir WE ARE NOT BROKEN was released in September of 2021. It received the Carter G. Woodson Award which recognizes books that “accurately and sensitively depict the experience of one or more historically marginalized racial/ethnic groups in the United States”. The book also received the Nonfiction Honor Book in the YA category from the International Literacy Association.
In 2021 they wrote and Executive Produced the Dramatic Reading of All Boys Aren’t Blue starring Jenifer Lewis and Dyllon Burnside which received a 2022 Special Recognition Award from GLAAD. George is also a proud HBCU alum twice over, and a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated.\
Additional Information
Website: https://iamgmjohnson.com/
Instagram: @iamgmjohnson
Amazon: All Boys Aren't Blue