I’m writing a series of articles spotlighting influential figures, whom I’ve dubbed “Scene Saints,” to honor and recognise their vital contributions in laying the foundational building blocks of the kink community.
Saint Marsha P. Johnson August 24, 1945 – July 6, 1992
Marsha P. Johnson was an African-American gay man, drag artist, gay liberation and *trans-rights activist, who was instrmental in the early **LGBTQ+ movement. At this time, the 1950s-1970s being gay was classified as a mental illness in the United States and homosexual acts were criminalized. Gay people were regularly threatened, beaten by police, and shunned by many in society. Marsha said the “P” stood for “Pay it no mind”, a phrase they used when people commented negatively on their appearance or life choices.
“You never completely have your rights, one person, until you all have your rights.” Marsha P. Johnson
Marsha P. Johnson was a vibrant and fearless figure in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights, leaving an indelible mark on history as a Black transgender activist. Born on August 24 1945, in Elizabeth, New Jersey. Johnson faced a challenging upbringing marked by poverty and discrimination. After moving to New York City in 1963 with little more than a few dollars, she quickly became a beloved presence in Greenwich Village. Known for her flamboyant style, often seen in colorful outfits, flower crowns, and a wide smile. Johnson embraced her identity unapologetically at a time when being transgender was met with hostility and legal persecution. Her resilience and warmth made her a cornerstone of the queer community, earning her the affectionate title “Saint of Christopher Street.” (Where the Stonewall Inn is located)
Stonewall Uprising
Johnson’s legacy is perhaps most tied to her role in the Stonewall Uprising, a pivotal moment in the modern gay liberation movement. In June 1969, when Marsha was 23 years old, the police raided a gay bar in New York called The Stonewall Inn, forcing over 200 people out of the bar and onto the streets violently beating and abusing them. While accounts differ on her exact involvement. Some say she threw one of the first bricks, others that she arrived later to join the resistance. Marsha was undeniably a fierce advocate in its aftermath and in the following days a key figue in leading a series of protests and riots demanding rights for gay people. The news of these protests spread around the world, inspiring others to join protests and rights groups to fight for equality.
STAR: Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries
Alongside her close friend Sylvia Rivera, Johnson co-founded the Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries (STAR) in 1970, a radical group dedicated to supporting homeless transgender youth and sex workers. STAR provided shelter, food, and a sense of family to those rejected by society, reflecting Johnson’s deep commitment to uplifting the most marginalized. Her activism wasn’t just about protest; it was about building community and offering hope in the face of systemic neglect. Much of Marsha’s life was dedicated to helping others, despite suffering several mental health issues herself and later in life diagnosed H.I.V. positive.
A Great Loss
Despite her impact, Johnson’s life was cut tragically short. On July 6, 1992, her body was found in the Hudson River, and though her death was initially ruled a suicide, many in her community suspected foul play given the violence she and other transgender women of colour often faced. Her passing sparked outrage and renewed calls for justice, though the case remains unresolved. Today, Marsha P. Johnson is celebrated as an icon, with monuments, documentaries, even a state park in Brooklyn named in her honor. Her life reminds us that the fight for equality owes much to those who, like her, dared to live authentically and love fiercely, even when the world pushed back.
**LGBTQ+ stands for Lesbian, gay, bi, trans and queer. The + is an inclusive symbol to mean ‘and others’ to include people of all identities. *During Marsha’s lifetime, the term transgender was not commonly used those who crossdressed, for a variety of different reasons, were grouped together as transvestites. Although an activist for transgender rights, Marsha describer herself as a gay man and drag queen.
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