Marsha P Johnson
Trailblazing LGBTQ+ rights activist and key figure in the Stonewall uprising
Marsha 'Pay It No Mind' Johnson (1945-1992) revolutionized LGBTQ+ activism through her fearless advocacy during the early days of the gay liberation movement. As a Black transgender woman and self-identified drag queen, Johnson co-founded STAR (Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries) to support homeless queer youth while battling systemic oppression.
Her pivotal role in the 1969 Stonewall uprising marked a turning point in LGBTQ+ history. Eyewitness accounts describe Johnson:
- Throwing the first brick at police during the raid
- Organizing resistance networks in Greenwich Village
- Creating safe spaces for marginalized queer communities
Johnson's activism extended through:
| • HIV/AIDS advocacy | • Anti-homelessness campaigns |
| • Fighting police brutality | • Mentoring young drag artists |
Despite facing constant discrimination, Johnson maintained her signature style - wearing flower crowns and thrift store finds while declaring
'I may be crazy, but that don't make me wrong.'
Her mysterious death in 1992 (initially ruled suicide despite evidence of foul play) sparked ongoing demands for justice. Today, Marsha's legacy lives through:
- The Marsha P. Johnson Institute protecting Black trans lives
- New York City monuments honoring LGBTQ+ pioneers
- Annual Pride marches worldwide