George M. Johnson

George Matthew Johnson (born 1985), more commonly known as George M. Johnson, is an American author, journalist, and activist. A queer African American, they are best known as the author of the memoir-manifesto All Boys Aren't Blue.

Early life and education Johnson spent their early childhood in New Jersey and later, Virginia. Johnson attended the HBCU Virginia Union University, where they became a member of Alpha Phi Alpha. Then attended graduate school at Bowie State University.

Career Johnson's writing has appeared in Teen Vogue, Entertainment Tonight, NBC, The Root, BuzzFeed, Essence, Ebony, them, and TheGrio. The Root included Johnson on their list "100 Most Influential African Americans in 2020."

As of November 2021, All Boys Aren't Blue was one of the most frequent targets of book bans and challenges amid an "unprecedented" period of book banning according to ALA. The book topped the ALA's list of the most challenged library books of 2024. It was removed from libraries in eight states due to claims of "sexual obscenity" for its descriptions of queer sex and masturbation. The book was named a secondary honoree for the Carter G. Woodson Book Award. Their book Flamboyants: The Queer Harlem Renaissance I Wish I'd Known was named a New York Public Library Best Book of the Year.

Personal life Johnson is queer and non-binary. We Are Not Broken (2021) Black Boy Joy: 17 Stories Celebrating Black Boyhood (contributor) (2021) Flamboyants: The Queer Harlem Renaissance I Wish I'd Known (2024) There's Always Next Year (2025) (with Leah Johnson) Five Second Violation (TBD) Property of No State'' (TBD)

Awards and honors