All Boys Aren’t Blue: Gabrielle Union Adapting Memoir Into Series

All Boys Aren’t Blue: Gabrielle Union adapting George M. Johnson’s memoir into series

According to Deadline, Think Like A Man star Gabrielle Union has acquired the rights to journalist and LGBTQ+ activist George M. Johnson’s best-selling memoir titled All Boys Aren’t Blue. Union will be developing a series adaption of the memoir through her I’ll Have Another Productions banner as part of her first-look deal with Sony Pictures TV.

“I wrote this memoir and shared these stories because of the importance and need to center black stories from the black perspective,” Johnson said in a statement. “I didn’t have stories like these growing up and honestly I don’t have many now so I knew I needed to do my part to make sure the next generation of black queer children had something they could relate to and connect with. There are days I look at TV and film and still don’t see myself represented. So, my ultimate goal was providing the story I didn’t have but always needed and to be the vessel so that so many can feel seen and heard.

First published last April, All Boys Aren’t Blue contains a series of personal essays from Johnson as he talks about his childhood and adolescence as well as what’s its like growing up as a Black queer boy in a “Blue” household. His stories also explore topics concerning gender identity, toxic masculinity, brotherhood, family, structural marginalization, consent and Black joy.

Pick up a copy of the book here!

The book’s official synopsis reads: “In a series of personal essays, prominent journalist and LGBTQIA+ activist George M. Johnson explores his childhood, adolescence, and college years in New Jersey and Virginia. From the memories of getting his teeth kicked out by bullies at age five, to flea marketing with his loving grandmother, to his first sexual relationships, this young-adult memoir weaves together the trials and triumphs faced by Black queer boys.

Both a primer for teens eager to be allies as well as a reassuring testimony for young queer men of color, All Boys Aren’t Blue covers topics such as gender identity, toxic masculinity, brotherhood, family, structural marginalization, consent, and Black joy. Johnson’s emotionally frank style of writing will appeal directly to young adults.

The project is also something personal to Union as she is a proud mother of a queer identifying daughter. “Queer black existence has been here forever yet rarely has that experience been shown in literature or film and television,” Union said. “Being a parent to a queer identifying daughter has given me the platform to make sure that these stories are being told in a truthful and authentic way and George’s memoir gives you the blueprint for that and more. What I love about this book is that it not only offers a space for queer kids of color to be seen and heard but it also offers those who see themselves outside of that standpoint to be held accountable and help them better understand what it takes to truly have acceptance with someone who is considered other.”

Union is known for her work in comedy films such as She’s All That, 10 Things I Hate About You, Bring It On, Bad Boys II, Breakin’ All the Rules, Daddy’s Little Girl and Think Like a Man. She is currently starring alongside Jessica Alba in Spectrum’s Bad Boys spinoff series L.A.’s Finest which is set to air its second season later this year.

(Photo Credit: Getty Images)