"The first person you are ever an activist for is yourself."

George M. Johnson

I wanted to get this review posted before the end of Pride Month and I barely made it, even though this book and the LGBTQIA+ community should be loved, accepted, and celebrated ALL year long. All Boys Aren't Blue by George M. Johnson is a collection of personal essays going through his childhood to adulthood as a Queer, Black man. This collection is important and needed. It can help those who are struggling with their own identity or those who need to understand the experiences of this community and how to love-TRULY love, accept, and celebrate them.

"Symbolism gives folks hope. But I've come to learn that symbolism is a threat to actual change-it's a chance for those in power to say, 'look how far you have come' rather than admitting, 'look how long we have stopped you from getting here."

George M. Johnson

This is an incredible memoir and I don't say that lightly. This book could save lives. It is Pride Month and we all see the corporations with rainbow advertising but it is really people like George M. Johnson who will make REAL change in the world. But he should not be trying to make this change alone. This book is both inspiring and heartbreaking. The first story is how was jumped at the age of five--then how his first sexual experience was actually sexual assault. But I did love his family support system. The stories about his grandmother are everything.

This book does touch on many subjects like consent, sexual assault, sexual identity, racism, and toxic masculinity. I listened to the audiobook and it is narrated by the author. I could have kept listening long after it ended. George M. Johnson is a beautiful soul and we could all learn what it means to be a truly supportive human to everyone. I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars.

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