Activist – Marsha P. Johnson

Marsha P. Johnson: One of the first well-known black gay and transgender rights activists, she fought heavily for gay rights and for transgender youth like herself. 

The Marsha P. Johnson Insitute, Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries (STAR), and the book Pay It No Mind were all created to celebrate Johnson’s trailblazing during the ’60s-’70s for gay rights. Johnson actively fought in Stonewall, fighting police raids with other gay people for their anger towards their constant targeted violence and oppression. Johnson is revered as being a figurehead for the gay rights movement and is looked up to by many Trans, Gay, and Black people alike for fighting oppression as a Trans and Black woman in a highly stigmatized and violent time. 

Johnson and fellow gay rights activist Sylvia Rivera managed STAR, which was a place of refuge for LGBTQ+ youth in New York City. She was known for her immense generosity and bravery, and even ended up modeling for artist Andy Warhol. Johnson is still remembered today, as of 2020 New York City dedicated a seven-acre waterfront park in Brooklyn to Johnson.