All Boys Aren't Blue: A Memoir-Manifesto

Author Q&A

All Boys Aren't Blue is an intensely personal story. What inspired you to start writing this book?

Toni Morrison said "if there is a book you want to read and it hasn't been written yet, you must write it." I've always wished I had a book like this. One where I felt seen on the cover and in every word on the page. I knew there was a story like mine lacking in the world. For years I had been telling my story in bits and pieces throughout magazines in op-ed articles. I knew it was important that I started to put together a body of work that could affect the lives of young LGBTQ people, specifically Black kids who needed guidance and resources. In the telling of my story, I wanted to change the narrative of how people viewed Black families raising LGBTQ Black children. I felt I had a duty to push through my own traumas of my past in order to prevent future generations of LGBTQ kids from having that same experience. The young boy inside me was the inspiration for this book. He can now be free.

Was there any part of the writing process for All Boys Aren’t Blue that surprised you?

The most surprising part of the writing process was how many stories I remembered. Things that I had buried many years ago popped back up and I was like “oh this has to be in the book.” It was tough because I didn’t know how emotionally taxing it would be, but also very liberating at the same time. I had to constantly remind myself who this story was for, but I am better for getting through it.

If you could give one piece of advice to young LGBTQ people today, what would it be?

Be yourself unapologetically. Understand that the world has not been set up for people as strong in their truth and identity as LGBTQ people are. Trust what you feel to be right and not what others are telling you that you should be. Always make sure you are making decisions that keep you safe, because you BEING HERE is what is most important. But never let anyone break your spirit.