Terri & Sandy’s "Unbannable Book" houses a living archive of queer creativity
In response to the escalating wave of book bans targeting LGBTQIA+ content across the U.S., independent creative agency Terri & Sandy has unveiled a new initiative for Pride Month, themed “The Unbannable Book.” Positioned as “the loudest, proudest Pride portfolio in advertising history,” it’s a digital archive showcasing the work of queer professionals across advertising, design and other creative industries—offering a defiant platform that cannot be censored or removed.
According to PEN America, more than 16,000 book titles have been banned in U.S. classrooms since 2021, including over 10,000 in 2025 alone. Nearly 2,500 of these are explicitly identified as queer titles. Unlike those pulled from school shelves, The Unbannable Book is hosted online at TheUnbannableBook.com and protected under the First Amendment. It exists as a living, evolving testament to LGBTQIA+ artistry and expression—serving not only as a creative portfolio, but also as a cultural counterpunch to silencing efforts.
A third spread with a purple background shows a trading card-style pack labeled “Stack the Deck Against Hate,” featuring cards of trans advocates Fallon Fox and Patrick.
The project features contributions from queer creatives who share work that makes them feel seen and fulfilled. The portfolio draws from a range of professionals, including members of Project Violet—a mentorship network focused on queer inclusivity in the workplace—and contributors to high-profile campaigns such as Mastercard’s collaboration with Lady Gaga and the pre-2000 queer-focused work of Absolut. The result is a vibrant, diverse showcase of talent and identity.
A second spread with a yellow background showcases an illustrated ACLU poster titled “Trans Script” and a portrait of a Black woman with platinum hair under the caption: “Broadway’s first openly trans Roxie Hart.”
To extend the movement beyond the website, Terri & Sandy also introduced a “Can’t Ban My Book” badge. Designed for use on LinkedIn and other social platforms, the badge helps contributors and allies visibly express their pride and professional identity, while connecting with others in the creative industry. It’s intended as a simple yet powerful symbol of solidarity, visibility and resilience.
A digital spread features a bright red background with images from three campaigns—Lady Gaga in dramatic makeup and costume for Mastercard, two men laughing in a Nissan car, and a woman holding pizza outside for Nordstrom.
“In advertising, our books aren’t novels or textbooks—they’re portfolios,” said Sandy Greenberg, co-founder and CEO of Terri & Sandy. “So we built a book that no one can ban: a collection of meaningful work from LGBTQIA+ creatives, housed in a place that can’t be censored or shut down.”
The campaign joins the agency’s history of LGBTQIA+ advocacy, including the acclaimed “Strands for Trans” initiative and the viral holiday campaign “Santa’s Slay.”
At launch, the project includes contributions from Sandy Greenberg, Analisha Santini, Corey Rosenberg , Leelee Groome, Ezequiel Consoli, Paul Boupha, Reid Maismore, Sam Baylow, Royston Ang, Sandra Jurado, Xavier Juarez, Jimmy Mosqueda , Louis Deslis, Paul Rivait , Rana Reeves, Ward Williams , Adriene Montalvo, Amanda Burger, John Wolfarth , Kristi Lira , Alan Brown , Catalina Monsalve , Jorge Andrade , Rodney Raftery, Juan Mont, Evan Kirby , Felicia Fitzpatrick, Alan Brown, Nat Resende, Grant Davis and Kindra Meyer.
