Lecture Notes: George M Johnson Interview

Introduction

• Speaker: George M. Johnson, author and activist
• Book: All Boys Aren't Blue (NY Times Best-Seller)
• Achievement: Second most banned book in the US (2020)

Accomplishments

• Time 100 Next List
• Featured in Harper's Bazaar Icon Issue
• Emmy Nomination for audio recording of All Boys Aren't Blue

Impact of All Boys Aren't Blue

• George's Expectation: Hoped to reach even one person
• Reality: Book available in 6 languages, reached hundreds of thousands
• Message: Importance of visibility for Black queer individuals

Book Bans and Legal Actions

• Significance of Banned Books: Affects everyone, next book could be one someone needs
• Lawsuit: Ongoing federal lawsuit against a Florida school district
  • Significant Court Appearance: George dressed to stand out, take up space

Support and Advocacy

• Family: Strong support from mother, audience applauded her defense of George
• Parental Role: Emphasis on not stifling children; fighting against LGBTQ+ discrimination
• Public Perception: Not all LGBTQ+ individuals are abandoned by their families

Upcoming Book: Flamboyant: The Queer Harlem Renaissance

• Content: Essays, poetry, illustrated work
• Purpose: Retelling past stories, emphasizing the intertwined nature of Blackness and queerness
• Goal: Create a