Brandon Kyle Goodman — Image created with Canva.
Queer Black Creatives Finding Space
Featuring An Exclusive First Look at Brandon’s Upcoming Book
While we’re in the middle of Pride month, let’s remember that everyone’s story is different. I found it easy to be open about my preferences, but I realize that may not be the case for others. It never made sense to me why my queer friends only talked about their romantic interests with me instead of with the rest of the group. I remember being so naive to my own privilege of understanding the differences between bisexual and pansexual and expecting the same from other people.
Truth be told, many people don’t understand and some flat-out refuse to accept anything other than straight and gay. It can create a feeling of loneliness. It can make you feel so different that you just assume you’re wrong because what you believe is right feels so uncomfortable to everyone else. The silence at dinner tables and the noise at parades are deafening. Many are familiar with what it’s like to not be able to understand your feelings and not be acknowledged for their worth.
But there’s even more misunderstanding in the black community. And it’s giving… ”It’s just a phase”. Brandon Kyle Goodman, self-identified actor, writer, and activist, discusses these issues in their recent interview with Firefox Presents, a documentary series highlighting creatives who are continually finding themselves as they create more space in online communities. Let’s get into it.
Breaking the Mold
Photo by Tom Dowler/Long Haul Films.
From the writing room of Netflix’s Big Mouth and Human Resources to the upcoming publication of their own book, “You Gotta Be You: How to Embrace This Messy Life and Step Into Who You Really Are” Goodman fully encapsulates what it’s like to be black and queer. As described in their latest interview with Firefox Presents, they had often felt out of place and conflicted growing up, especially in the era of the Internet.
According to Goodman, it is essential to create a place on the internet for people to fully express themselves, as evidenced by their social media presence. Goodman exudes positivity and emotion when talking about some hot-button topics surrounding the LGBTQ+ community such as familial ties and creating new connections and relationships.
They credit their newfound family for being able to push forward and create waves for generations to come. Goodman is truly inspiring as is their dedication to creating dialogue about inclusion through their writing on one of the most-watched Netflix series, as well as authoring an upcoming book that reminds readers that they are enough.
“I’m gay. It’s because I’m black. It’s because of these things that are so beautiful and yet aren’t valued… There’s so much messaging that there’s something wrong with me, in addition to the fact that when you turn on TV or read books in school, there’s just not a black protagonist, let along a black queer protagonist.”
Goodman is making waves and creating spaces for everyone to truly be who they were created to be. As well as discussing acceptance and finding value in your worth, they also discuss some spicy topics! Goodman believes that understanding all of your relationships regardless of their intimacy level can help you achieve liberation.
Because when it comes to sex, it’s about you. Your blackness, your queerness, your womanhood, your nonbinaryhood, your manhood. It’s about you. And this is also part of my activism. My relationship to sex. And so for me, to be a part of a collective of influencers and educators and activists and people who are boldly talking about it is so liberating. I wish that young Brandon had had that.
Creating Space for Others
When it comes to creating space for others, Goodman is the ideal candidate. In an exclusive first look into their upcoming book, Goodman speaks of the growing pains, trials, and tribulations of growing up black and queer. They are a flower that continues to bloom.
“My intention is to revisit the experiences that have brought me to this present moment with as little judgment as possible, but with as much curiosity as I can muster. This book is my love letter to black queer folks and anyone fighting to love themselves uncodnitionally despite not knowing what that looks or feels like or if you’re worthy of it. Spoiler alert: you are beyond worthy. You are enough as you are. If this is the last thing you read in this book, know that you are enough.”
To gain more insight into this creatives personality and journey to acceptance, watch the full interview here:
Brandon Kyle Goodman is an inspiration to all of us. As we enter a new season, keep in mind that every one of those seasons is meant for you. The book, “You Gotta Be You : How to Embrace This Messy Life and Step Into Who You Really Are”, is scheduled for release in the fall of 2022. Stay tuned for more content as we create space for all sorts of ideas and ways of life.
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Published Article: Medium.com
Creative Storyteller, Marketing Strategist, and Advocate for Women in Tech 
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