Day 9: Marsha P. Johnson – Power in the People.

Marsha P. Johnson (1945–1992) remains one of the most beloved figures of queer liberation. A Black trans woman, drag performer, and activist, she became a central presence in New York’s queer community – always adorned with flowers, sequins, and a radiant smile. At the Stonewall uprising of 1969, Marsha was on the frontlines, embodying both defiance and joy in the face of police violence.

In 1970, alongside Sylvia Rivera, she co-founded STAR (Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries), a collective that provided housing and support for queer and trans youth experiencing homelessness. STAR became a lifeline for many who were rejected by their families and communities.

Marsha’s activism extended into the AIDS crisis of the 1980s, where she marched with ACT UP and cared for those abandoned by the state and medical system. Despite enduring violence, poverty, and systemic neglect herself, Marsha remained a source of compassion. She often said her middle initial “P” stood for “Pay It No Mind,”a philosophy of resilience and unapologetic selfhood.

Her tragic death in 1992 was long ruled a suicide, though later re-examined as a likely homicide, underscoring the dangers trans women of color face. Yet Marsha’s legacy is not only one of struggle but of joyful resistance. She showed that liberation must be rooted in both justice and love.

“If a transvestite doesn’t say ‘I’m gay and I’m proud and I’m a transvestite,’ then nobody else is going to hop up there and say ‘I’m gay and I’m proud and I’m a transvestite’ for them.” – Marsha P. Johnson

NOTE: Marsha used the language available to her at the time. Today we recognize and celebrate her as a trailblazing Black trans woman and queer liberation icon. While our culture and understanding of gender identity have continued to grow, it is not our place to edit her words. We honor her authentic voice and the power of the sentiment she was expressing.

Today, the Marsha P. Johnson Institute continues her work by advocating for Black trans liberation worldwide.