Marsha P. Johnson

Marsha P. Johnson was a drag queen, a trans woman, and an activist for the Gay Liberation movement. She is most well known for her role in the Stonewall riots in 1969. At the Stonewall Inn during the early hours of June 28th, police raided the bar, arresting patrons. Tensions escalated and violence broke out between the two groups. That night sparked future protests against targeted police raids of gay bars and spearheaded the fight for LGBTQ+ rights. The anniversary of the Stonewall riot gave way to the first pride parade, an event that is now celebrated internationally. Later in her life, along with trans activist Sylvia Rivera, Marsha P. Johnson established the organization “Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries'' (or S.T.A.R.) to provide a safe space and advocate for homeless LGBTQ+ youth. Marsha and Sylvia are today seen as the Mothers of the Gay Liberation Movement and Transgender Movement.​