Unprotected

A Memoir

By: Billy Porter

Narrated by: Billy Porter

“This is not a coming-out story. It’s not a down-low story either. I never could have passed for straight, even if I’d wanted to, and so I never had the dubious luxury of living a lie.”

From the incomparable Emmy, Grammy, and Tony Award winner, a powerful and revealing autobiography about race, sexuality, art, and healing

It’s easy to be yourself when who and what you are is in vogue. But growing up Black and gay in America has never been easy. Before Billy Porter was slaying red carpets and giving an iconic Emmy-winning performance in the celebrated TV show Pose; before he was the groundbreaking Tony and Grammy Award-winning star of Broadway’s Kinky Boots; and before he was an acclaimed recording artist, actor, playwright, director, and all-around legend, Porter was a young boy in Pittsburgh who was seen as different, who didn’t fit in. At five years old, Porter was sent to therapy to “fix” his effeminacy. He was endlessly bullied at school, sexually abused by his stepfather, and criticized at his church. Porter came of age in a world where simply being himself was a constant struggle.

Billy Porter’s Unprotected is the life story of a singular artist and survivor in his own words. It is the story of a boy whose talent and courage opened doors for him, but only a crack. It is the story of a teenager discovering himself, learning his voice and his craft amid deep trauma. And it is the story of a young man whose unbreakable determination led him through countless hard times to where he is now; a proud icon who refuses to back down or hide. Porter is a multitalented, multifaceted treasure at the top of his game, and Unprotected is a resonant, inspirational story of trauma and healing, shot through with his singular voice.

©2021 Billy Porter (P)2021 Recorded Books

THIS BOOK IS EVERYTHING.so inspiring and emotional

highly recommend. AMAZING AND CAPTIVATING, from start to finish. the world loves you Billy. WERK!

Amazing

Billy Porter is not just and amazing artist, but a prolific writer. His story is inspirational and gives others permission and strength to speak their truth. An incredible read and listen.

Everyone NEEDS to hear this book!

I have to say that anyone reading this book in the traditional way is really missing out by not experiencing the audiobook version. Billy Porter is such an amazing performer that only he can bring the full impact of his story to life with this performance!
This deep, moving and very entertaining book is refreshingly honest and Mr. Porter pulls no punches! Loved it!

Love Wins!

Inspiring, gut wrenching and exquisitely beautiful, Billie Porter lays out his journey to groundbreaking success as an actor, singer, author, activist, and fashion slayer! We see his singular vision and phenomenal willingness to do the work; we feel the high highs and the low lows. We are crushed by the injustices and delighted by his angels. I’m forever changed after listening to this miraculous story.

OH. MY. GOD.

Listen to the Audible version of this book. read by the author himself! Run, do not walk, to download your copy! I have loved Billy Porter since "Angels in America", but it his iconic role in "Kinky Boots" that he is best remembered for so far. This book is wise, self-revealing, witty, powerful, and peppered with him sliding from story telling into story performing. Bonus points for listening on a device where you can also search for the performances of which he speaks.

incredible

this was a great book. what an amazing story, very raw and powerful. i highly recommend it.

Weeerk!!

I love you Billy Porter! Thank you for sharing your story! Thank you for being yourself and giving who you are to the world.

Such an inspiration!

I enjoyed this so much! He's such an inspiration for people of color and the LGBTQ community. Keep slaying, Billy! Thank you so much for sharing your story ❤️

I didn’t want it to end

Hearing from Billy Porter’s own voice narrating his own journey was a treat.
There are too many things to name that I liked… no- that I LOVED about his story. He got to tell it! I laughed out loud. I sighed. I shook my head with sadness and frustration over all the unnecessary hatred that people spew onto anyone or anything that expresses the essence and authenticity of Truth to power through simply being who they are. He’s audaciously unapologetic in who he is. That’s my biggest take away from Billy’s story. I wanted to hear more! He filled me up with the desire to dream bigger and to simply be myself. What a journey… Loved loved loved it!

Great

I love Billy Porter even more now. What a well written, emotional, funny and inspiring book.