MARSHA P. JOHNSON
Marsha “Pay it No Mind” Johnson (1945-1992) was a black trans woman who was a force behind the Stonewall Riots and surrounding activism that sparked a new phase of the LGBTQ+ movement. In June 1969, when Marsha was 23 years old, police raided a gay bar in New York called The Stonewall Inn. The police forced over 200 people out of the bar and onto the streets, and then used excessive violence against them. Marsha, who was living and working in New York at the time, was one of the key figures who stood up to the police during the raids. Marsha resisted arrest, but in the following days, led a series of protests and riots demanding rights for gay people.
In 2019, the head of New York's Police Department apologised for their actions, saying, "the actions taken by the NYPD were wrong".
Much like the recent Black Lives Matter marches in the United States, news of these protests spread around the world, inspiring others to join protests and rights groups to fight for equality. A month after the protests, the first openly gay march took place in New York - a pivotal moment for the gay and trans community everywhere. Marsha’s action at the Stonewall Riots is widely regarded as the cornerstone of the LGBTQ+ rights movement.
Following the protests, Marsha, along with Sylvia Rivera, established the Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries (STAR) in 1970 - a group committed to supporting transgender youth experiencing homelessness in New York City.
Marsha P. Johnson was tragically murdered on July 6, 1992 at the age of 46. Her case was originally closed by the NYPD as an alleged suicide, but transgender activist Mariah Lopez fought for it to be reopened for investigation in 2012. Marsha P. Johnson is now one of the most venerated icons in LGBTQ+ history, has been celebrated in a series of books, documentaries, and films. Her actions and words continue to inspire trans activism and resistance, and will continue to do so well into the future.
The Marsha P. Johnson Institute was founded in her memory to protect and defend the human rights of black transgender people.
Marsha is a Certified Proud Icon because she fought for liberation at a time when it seemed the whole world was against her. She sparked a revolution, and although we may still be striving for equality, we have a lot to thank Marsha for.
Find out more about Marsha here:
Netflix - “The Death & Life of Marsha P. Johnson”
Podcast - “Making Gay History”