Marsha P. Johnson was a pioneering figure in the LGBTQ+ rights movement, especially known for her activism in New York City during the 1960s and 70s. Born on August 24, 1945, in Elizabeth, New Jersey, Johnson was assigned male at birth but identified as a gay person, a drag queen, and a transvestite. She moved to New York at 18 with just $15 and a bag of clothes, where she began to fully embrace her identity.
In New York, Johnson became a key advocate for homeless LGBTQ+ youth and those affected by HIV/AIDS, often living a tough life on the margins. She worked various jobs, including sex work, and was frequently arrested. Despite these struggles, she remained committed to helping others, founding the Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries (STAR) with Sylvia Rivera in 1970. STAR provided shelter for young transgender people who were shunned by their families, with their first safe house in the back of an abandoned truck.
Johnson’s involvement in the Stonewall Uprising of 1969 made her a central figure in the LGBTQ+ rights movement. Although the details of her role in the riot are debated, it’s clear she was at the forefront of protests that followed. Over the next decade, she became more prominent in the movement, advocating for gay and transgender rights, and speaking out against the exclusion of people of color and transgender individuals from the gay rights movement.
In addition to her activism, Johnson became a familiar face in the arts, performing in drag shows and even attracting the attention of pop artist Andy Warhol. She continued to fight for equality, stating her ambition was to see gay people liberated and have the same rights as others in America.
Despite her positive public persona, Johnson struggled with mental health issues, spent time in psychiatric hospitals, and continued working in sex work. She was diagnosed with HIV in 1990 and spoke openly about it, hoping to reduce stigma.
Sadly, Johnson was found dead in the Hudson River in 1992 at age 46. Though initially ruled a suicide, many questioned this conclusion, suspecting foul play, especially amid rising anti-LGBTQ+ violence. Her death went under-investigated, but in 2012, the NYPD reopened the case.
Today, Marsha P. Johnson is celebrated as one of the most influential LGBTQ+ advocates. In 2019, a monument was commissioned in her honor, and in 2020, a park in Brooklyn was named after her. Her legacy continues to inspire the LGBTQ+ community and beyond.
