I Only Read Straight Characters Growing Up and I Still Turned Out Gay

Описание: In this interview, author/illustrator, Mike Curato speaks openly about what it was like to revisit his own memories of shame, bullying, and suicidal ideation, and he also clears up the biggest misconceptions about the book. He explains why fiction became a tool for protecting his younger self, how comics gave him a language when prose could not, and why representation for queer Asian youth is still urgently needed.

DISCLAIMER: Later in the conversation (around 15:54), Mike also talks about GAYSIANS, his new graphic novel for adult readers. The conversation itself is not explicit, but because the book is intended for an older audience, younger viewers please skip ahead to timestamp 20:36.

This conversation is part of the Unban Coolies series, featuring authors whose work is targeted by censorship but deeply needed by young people seeking belonging, representation, and honesty.

Mike Curato is the award-winning author and illustrator of Flamer, a semi-autobiographical graphic novel about a queer Filipino American teen wrestling with identity, faith, and self-acceptance. Flamer won the Lambda Literary Award, the Massachusetts Book Award, was named an NPR Best Book of 2020, and is now one of the most frequently challenged books in the United States. Curato is also the creator of the beloved Little Elliot picture book series and continues to champion stories that offer visibility, safety, and compassion for young readers.

🎙️ Guest: Mike Curato– https://www.mikecurato.com/

🎥 Hosted by: UNBAN COOLIES with Christopher Lau

🔗 Watch more: [   / @unbancoolies  ](   / @unbancoolies  )

TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Introduction
01:02 Why writing Flamer was both painful and necessary
03:16 Using his real journals and letters in the book
04:31 What surprised him during the creative process
05:02 Why Flamer is being challenged and misunderstood
06:58 Addressing claims about “inappropriate content”
08:33 Why banning queer books harms straight kids too
09:42 Childhood authors and comics that shaped him
11:15 Shifting voice between kid, teen, and adult audiences
13:40 The rise of graphic novels and why they matter
15:54 His next project: GAYSIANS and centering queer Asian voices
20:37 Toni Morrison’s influence and writing what’s missing
21:04 Closing reflections

📚 • • •
If this book or Mike Curato’s work has resonated with you — especially if Flamer helped you feel seen, supported, or understood — we would love to hear from you.

Tell us:
• What conversations did this book open in your school, family, or community?
• How did it help you or someone you know feel less alone?
• Why do you think stories like this matter for teens right now?

Your lived experience is part of the record of why these books are needed.
Visibility is not controversy — it’s connection.
Share your story below.

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Hi, I'm Christopher Lau, the founder of Unban Coolies. In an era of growing book bans and declining reading engagement, a national literacy crisis is becoming impossible to ignore.

What began as a fight against censorship has grown into a mission to tackle this challenge head-on. Unban Coolies is a nonpartisan platform that respects diverse viewpoints. We believe in inclusivity for people of all backgrounds, cultures, and beliefs and we champion the diverse voices that create a rich literary landscape.

To that end, I create these author interviews as a ready-to-use resource for educators to share with their class, especially in schools that can't afford in-person author visits.

As a product of NYC public schools, I never had an author visit or a certified librarian to help me find a book that sparked joy. My goal is to bring the excitement of meeting an author directly to students, hoping to ignite that same passion for reading.

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