The Stonewall Uprising and Marsha’s Role in Queer History

While many people associate the Stonewall Uprising of 1969 with a major turning point in LGBTQ+ rights, Marsha P. Johnson's involvement in the events is often overlooked. She was one of the key figures in the riots that took place at the Stonewall Inn in New York City, which sparked a nationwide movement for LGBTQ+ liberation.

On the night of June 28, 1969, when the Stonewall riots began, Johnson was present, though the exact details of her involvement remain a topic of some debate. One of the most enduring stories is that Marsha, in her signature flamboyant style, threw a brick at a police officer in a defiant act of resistance, helping to ignite the protests that followed. Whether or not she was the person who threw the brick, Johnson's undeniable presence and her leadership in the queer community that followed make her an essential figure in Stonewall’s legacy.

The Stonewall riots marked the beginning of the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement, and Marsha’s actions that night, along with those of other brave individuals, laid the foundation for the work that would follow. She became a symbol of resistance, especially for the transgender and queer communities of color, who were often marginalized even within the larger LGBTQ+ movement.

Marsha’s Activism and the Founding of Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries (STAR)

Marsha P. Johnson wasn’t just a figurehead of a rebellion; she was an activist who dedicated her life to improving the lives of queer people, especially trans individuals and people of color. In 1970, alongside Sylvia Rivera, a Puerto Rican transgender woman and activist, Johnson co-founded the Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries (STAR). The organization’s mission was to provide shelter, food, and support to homeless trans and queer youth—many of whom were pushed to the streets due to rejection from their families or discrimination in other parts of society.

STAR was revolutionary in its efforts to create a space for marginalized communities, particularly transgender women, who were often excluded from the larger LGBTQ+ movement. Marsha and Sylvia’s advocacy for homeless queer youth, and their tireless work to create safe spaces for those in need, was a pioneering effort that set the groundwork for future social justice organizations. STAR, in many ways, was one of the first organizations to highlight the intersectionality of the LGBTQ+ struggle, addressing issues of homelessness, race, class, and gender identity.

Marsha’s Enduring Legacy

Sadly, Marsha P. Johnson passed away under mysterious circumstances in 1992, her death still widely believed to be a murder despite a lack of thorough investigation at the time. Her tragic passing left a void in the LGBTQ+ community, but her legacy as a trailblazer for trans rights, queer culture, and social justice continues to inspire activism and pride movements around the world.

In recent years, Marsha P. Johnson’s contributions have been more widely recognized and celebrated, especially as part of the growing acknowledgment of transgender people’s vital role in LGBTQ+ history. Her story has been brought to the forefront in documentaries like The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson (2017), which highlighted her life, her activism, and the ongoing fight for trans rights.

At UnityWave, we recognize Marsha’s profound impact on queer history and culture. She showed us that being unapologetically yourself, especially in the face of oppression, is an act of revolution. Her legacy lives on not only in the laws and protections we fight for today but also in the vibrant, diverse queer culture that continues to evolve and thrive.

As we reflect on Marsha's life and activism, we honor her by continuing to fight for the rights and recognition of transgender and non-binary individuals, queer youth, and communities of color. At UnityWave, we are committed to illuminating queer history and advocating for a world where every LGBTQ+ person can live freely and authentically.