Marsha P. Johnson and Others at Stonewall
Jun 28, 1969

Marsha P. Johnson's involvement at the Stonewall Inn in June 1969 marks a pivotal moment in the history of the LGBTQ+ rights movement. A Black transgender activist and drag performer, Marsha P. Johnson, played a vital role in the Stonewall Uprising, which ignited after a police raid on the popular gay bar, the Stonewall Inn, in New York City's Greenwich Village. During that fateful night, the LGBTQ+ community, fed up with ongoing harassment and discrimination, decided to resist the police oppression. Marsha P. Johnson, along with other transgender women, drag queens, lesbians, gay men, and allies, bravely stood their ground, fighting back against the police, which led to days of intense protests and demonstrations. Marsha's fierce advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights and her fearlessness in the face of adversity transformed her into a symbol of the resistance. Her unyielding commitment to justice and equality, particularly for marginalized groups within the LGBTQ+ community, significantly impacted the movement's trajectory. In the aftermath of the Stonewall Uprising, Marsha P. Johnson co-founded the activist group Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries (STAR) with Sylvia Rivera, providing vital support and resources to homeless transgender and queer youth. Marsha P. Johnson's legacy endures as an inspiration for countless activists fighting for LGBTQ+ rights. Her relentless dedication to the cause, her intersectional approach to advocacy, and her refusal to be silenced or sidelined have solidified her position as an icon of the LGBTQ+ liberation movement. Through her actions and unwavering spirit, Marsha P. Johnson continues to remind the world that the struggle for equality and justice is far from over and that the fight for true liberation must encompass and uplift all members of the community.