Remembering Marsha P. Johnson, Icon of Modern LGBTQ Rights Movement

On Saturday, we celebrated the birthday of LGBTQ rights pioneer and icon, Marsha P. Johnson. She would have been 79.

Johnson will perhaps be best known as one of the names behind the Stonewall Uprising of 1969, which was a pivotal moment in LGBTQ+ history. The Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in New York City’s Greenwich Village, was a frequent target of police raids. On the night of June 28, 1969, a raid led to an intense confrontation between patrons and law enforcement. Johnson, along with other LGBTQ activists, fought back against police brutality, marking a significant turning point in the struggle for LGBTQ rights.

The uprising was not merely a spontaneous riot but a catalyst for the modern LGBTQ rights movement.

According to this obituary from the New York Times, “although New York State downgraded sodomy from a felony to a misdemeanor in 1950, persecution of gay people and criminalization of their activities were still common. Same-sex dancing in public was prohibited. The State Liquor Authority banned bars from serving gay people alcoholic beverages. People could be charged with sexual deviancy for cross-dressing. Police enforcement was often arbitrary.”

Johnson’s involvement in the Stonewall Uprising of 1969, particularly her visible presence and resilience during the uprising, positioned her as a symbol of resistance and defiance against systemic oppression.

In the aftermath of Stonewall, Johnson’s activism continued with remarkable vigor. She co-founded the Gay Liberation Front and later the Gay Activists Alliance, organizations dedicated to fighting for LGBTQ+ rights. Johnson’s advocacy was inclusive and intersectional, focusing on issues affecting marginalized communities within the LGBTQ community.

Johnson’s work was instrumental in the establishment of the Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries (STAR) in 1970, alongside Sylvia Rivera. STAR was a pioneering organization that provided support for transgender and homeless individuals. The organization’s focus on the most vulnerable members of the LGBTQ community, particularly those facing homelessness and economic instability, underscored Johnson’s deep commitment to social justice.

Johnson’s activism was not without personal challenges. Her life was marked by struggles with mental health, financial instability, and the constant threat of violence. Despite these hardships, Johnson remained a steadfast advocate for LGBTQ rights, consistently working to elevate marginalized voices within the queer community.

Johnson’s personal courage was matched by her activism. She was known for her vibrant personality, her ability to inspire those around her, and her dedication to creating a more inclusive and equitable society. Her work extended beyond the confines of traditional activism, as she used her visibility to challenge societal norms and push for systemic change.

Her efforts to address issues of homelessness, discrimination, and healthcare for transgender individuals laid the groundwork for future advocacy and policy changes.

Her legacy is honored through various memorials, including the Marsha P. Johnson Institute, which works to protect and defend the rights of Black transgender people. This organization, along with others inspired by Johnson’s work, continues to address the issues she championed and strives to build on her vision of a more just and equitable society.

Her legacy is such a powerful reminder to humanists and freethinkers to reaffirm our commitment to the shared values we all hold dear, that the struggle for equality is ongoing, and that each of us has a role to play in advancing equity, inclusion, and belonging.

As a queer person, her bravery, resilience, and dedication to social justice continue to inspire me, and I hope this brief celebration of Johnson’s legacy and contributions serves to inspire you, too.