Celebrating and Honoring Women's History - Marsha P. Johnson

Hi there, thanks for checking out this post! I am continuing to celebrate incredible, influential women during the wonderful month of March. This week, I am honored to write about Marsha P. Johnson, who was a pioneer in the LGBT+ liberation movement in the 1960’s. Johnson was a gay liberation activist, self-identified drag queen, advocate, and a pivotal figure in the Stonewall Uprising of 1969.

Who was Marsha P. Johnson?

Marsha P. Johnson, born Malcolm Michaels Jr, was born on August 24, 1945. She grew up in Elizabeth, New Jersey with her six siblings, mother, and father. Johnson’s family outwardly disapproved of homosexuality and after finishing high school, Marsha Johnson left home for New York city with just $15. She began working in the sex industry and waiting tables, and hanging out with folkx in the gay and queen communities in Greenwich Village.

Marsha P. Johnson became her queen name, and what made her unique in the scene were her real flower crowns and gender non-conforming expression. Johnson was said to display the perfect balance between masculine and feminine leading modern thinkers to consider her to be gender non-conforming, recognizing that this language did not exist at the time. The ‘P’ in Johnson’s name stood for ‘Pay It No Mind’ which is what Marsha would say in response to anyone who asked questions about her gender.

The Rise of Marsha P. Johnson

Marsha P. Johnson’s recognition in the drag community continued to grow during a time in which the United States was undergoing a cultural shift. During the late 1960’s homosexuality and cross dressing were illegal in all states except for Illinois. In New York city, it was illegal to host and serve alcohol to members of the gay and trans community in bars and restaurants. The Stonewall Inn was a known gay bar that was owned and operated by the mafia. The mafia would run the bar by paying off crooked cops and threatening to out any rich, important members of the community who went to the bar.

Marsha P. Johnson was one of the first queens to be allowed in Stonewall when it began opening its doors to drag queens and women. She frequented the bar and became one of the pivotal faces of the Stonewall Uprising of 1969. On a hot, summer night, police raided the Stonewall Inn, which was considered to a be a safe haven for gay, lesbian, and trans people during this time. Police came in with a warrant, arrested 13 people, and confiscated illegal alcohol. Police raids of gay bars were not uncommon at the time, however, this night was unique in that the people fought back after a trans individual was roughed up by police.

Marsha P. Johnson and Stonewall

Marsha P. Johnson was said to have thrown the first brick or stone at the police officers. The rioting broke out and the protesters fought with such power that it forced the police officers back into the bar where they remained barricaded until the rioting dissipated. The following night, an even bigger crowd showed up to Stonewall. The bar was raided again, except this time riot police with batons and tear gas poured into the streets. Protesters rallied, people resisted arrest, and successfully dodged police. Miraculously, no one was injured during the riots, except some police officers sustained minor injuries.

Following the riots, the gay rights movement began and Marsha P. Johnson became deeply involved in activism. A year after the Stonewall riots, Johnson and her friend and fellow activist, Sylvia Rivera, founded the trans-youth organization STAR — Street Transvestite (now Transgender) Action Revolutionaries — that housed and fed homeless youths. Later on in the 1980’s, Marsha P. Johnson became involved with the AIDS charity ACT UP.

Marsha P. Johnson died at the age of 46 after her body was found in the Hudson River. Police ruled her death a suicide, however, members of the gay community dispute this. In 2012, her case reopened, however, it remains unsolved.

The 52nd anniversary of the Stonewall riots is in June and during that time, I look forward to be re-acquainted with the opportunity to hold in deep gratitude and appreciation for the work of Marsha P. Johnson.