Throughout this pride month, we have seen one incredibly important name spreading across the internet a lot this year! Especially given her significance to the international Black Lives Matter Movement, her story only continues to grow even more recognized world-wide. While this article may not be a long biography, it does bring up some of amazing things this womxn did during her lifetime. This is a short biography on, the one and only, Marsha P. Johnson.
Marsha P. Johnson was gay liberations activist and drag queen, as well as one of the most prominent figures during the 1969 Stonewall uprising. It is believed that she started off the riots when she threw a shot glass at a mirror in the Stonewall Inn and screamed, “I got my civil rights!” She was only 23 years old at the time of the riots.
According to an article published by the New York Times, Johnson came from her hometown in New Jersey all the way to New York City with only “$15 and a bag of clothes.” She established herself in this brand new city, and became a well known drag queen to those in the LGBTQIA+ community of New York. She eventually grew to become one of the most loved, and one of the most loving, figures of the LGBTQIA+ community. She soon befriended follow rights activist and drag queen Sylvia Rivera, a Latina American gay liberation and transgender rights activist.
On top of being greatly loving, she was also known for being incredibly generous. While she experienced homelessness at times, she would still be willing to give her last couple of dollars to those in even greater need. About one year after the Stonewall riots, Johnson even went as far as founding a not-for-profit organization with Sylvia Rivera, called S.T.A.R. - standing for Street Transvestite (as the term transgender was not yet established to describe this gender identity) Action Revolutionaries. Her organization was the first North American shelter for LGBTQIA+ youth, and was dedicated to providing youth a safe and inclusive space, while getting out of the streets of New York and into this safe shelter. Johnson’s generosity was greatly noted by all those who knew her.
Despite Johnson's lovability, she was often discriminated against by those who did not take the time to get to know her, and simply judged/showed hostility towards her due to her gender identity. This was on top of the discrimination that she sadly faced based upon the colour of her skin. This discrimination within society ultimately followed her to her untimely death in 1992. Today, Johnson is looked upon as an extraordinary womxn, however, she would have never gotten the chance to feel how much we appreciate her in our present day society, due to her shortened lifetime. The story of Marsha P. Johnson is not only one the importance of LGBTQIA+ rights, but also that of the power of kindness. While Johnson was looked down upon by most of society, she remained a forever kind and generous person, and her beautiful personality will shine forever. She will not only be remembered for the significant role she played in the Stonewall uprising, but also for her contributions to the community after the uprising. She will always, and forever, be a powerful womxn.
“I may be crazy, but that don’t make me wrong.” - Marsha P. Johnson
Fun Facts:
The “P” in Johnson’s name stood for “pay it no mind,” a statement which is known as one of her most famous quotes.
Andy Warhol painted her portrait in 1974 as part of his series “Ladies and Gentlemen.”
She is set to have her own monument with fellow activist Sylvia Rivera Greenwich Village. It will be one of the first monuments in the world to represent people who are part of the transgender community.