There is a significant rise in book bans across the US, particularly in public schools and libraries. Most of the targeted publications feature people of color or members of the LGBTQ community. According to the nonprofit group PEN America, more than 10,000 books were banned in the 2023-2024 school year, with BIPOC (44%) and LGBTQ+ (39%) publications most affected. Removing these books from the shelves translates with silencing queer voices, narratives, and rights.
As a long-time advocate for the queer community and just in time to mark Pride Month, advertising agency Terri & Sandy embarked on a mission to challenge the US’s dangerous efforts to silence these people’s stories, launching a book that cannot be removed. Titled “The Unbannable Book,” the publication features work by queer members working in the creative industry. Unlike physical books, which are threatened to be removed from the shelves, The Unbannable Book cannot vanish, as it lives on the Internet, where any website is protected by the First Amendment and federal law.
The publication takes shape of an advertising portfolio, featuring a collection of works by queer professionals in the advertising and creative industries, celebrating their voices and ideas loud and proud. Among the ones to have their work showcased in the book are Paul Boupha, Associate Creative Director who worked on the Mastercard X Lady Gaga “Little Monsters” event, and New York-based creative director/copywriter Corey Rosenberg, who directed The Absolut Documentary.
Described by the independent agency as “The Loudest, proudest LGBTQIA+ portfolio in advertising,” the digital book continues to grow, with the team behind the project inviting other artists in the industry to contribute their ideas to the book. “Because the more we create, the more we claim our space. And together, we’ll build a future where queer creativity isn’t just seen; it leads, it inspires, and it certainly refuses to be silenced,” the agency states.
To be featured in The Unbannable Book, creatives are invited to submit their work via email. But there are other ways to support the campaign: individuals can wear the “Can’t Ban My Book” badge, which creators developed so supporters of the initiative can proudly display on their LinkedIn profile or other social media platforms. Additionally, those who wish to financially support the initiative can do so by donating to Do The WerQ or spreading the word by sharing the website.
CREDITS
Agency: Terri & Sandy
Project: The Unbannable Book
