Champion of LGBTQ+ rights, Stonewall trailblazer, and Black History icon
Marsha P. Johnson helped shape equality and acceptance. Local woman works to do the same.
- by Robin Dorner
Editor in Chief
Marsha P. Johnson is a legend and stands as one of the most influential figures in LGBTQ+ and Black history. As a Black transgender activist, drag queen, and a key participant in the 1969 Stonewall riots, Johnson’s bravery and compassion ignited a movement that continues to inspire generations.
Early Life: She was born on August 24, 1945, in Elizabeth, New Jersey. She grew up in a working-class African American family. As a child, Johnson experienced both the warmth of a religious upbringing and the pain of bullying due to her gender expression and identity.
After graduating high school, she moved to New York City in pursuit of freedom, acceptance, and the chance to live authentically. The city’s vibrant but marginalized queer community became the foundation for her life’s work, according to Biography.com.
Advocacy: Her tireless advocacy for homeless transgender youth and unwavering presence in both the queer and Black communities made her a beacon of hope and change. Johnson’s visibility and leadership as a Black woman in the LGBTQ+ movement helped bridge the fight for racial and sexual equality, emphasizing the intersectionality at the heart of true liberation.
Local activists champion the cause that Johnson started many years ago.
“As a Black, Queer Woman in Oklahoma, I feel it is my civic duty to amplify forever the demographics I represent in continued love, advocacy and service,” said Chrystyan Cross, Founder, ThaMonthly & The Inkk Advocates Oklahoma.
Cross created ThaMonthly in May of 2022 to advocate for the reproductive & sexual rights of all. Within their activist work, they also act as a patient advocate for those with reproductive conditions such as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) & Endometriosis.
“I also provide education on period, maternal, and sexual health for people from adolescence to menopause and beyond,” Cross added. My organization, The Inkk Advocates of Oklahoma, collects & donates menstrual products to anyone in need, along with additional resources for optimal period health.”
Cross also said, “Marsha’s unwavering resilience & no-nonsense approach to the opposition was manifested through the personal adversity she faced. She paved the way for me to be the unapologetic force I am in my activism. I’m forever grateful for her sacrifices.”
Johnson was a brave, authentic and fierce advocate for LGBTQ+ and Black rights. Cross said that even today, Black, LatinX & Indigenous folx of color are the top demographics that face obstetric violence, medical negligence & racism. This issue is amplified exponentially when found to identify with the +2SLGBTQIA+ community.
“As my ThaMonthly platform rightfully serves everyone, my priority within it is my Black & Brown family.”
Life as a Drag Queen: Johnson adopted the name “Marsha P. Johnson,” with the “P” standing for “Pay It No Mind,” a phrase she used to deflect questions about her gender. As a drag queen, Marsha dazzled in the city’s LGBTQ+ spaces, becoming a beloved performer known for her flower crowns, bold style, and infectious energy. Her presence embodied resilience and joy, offering visibility and hope to those who felt unseen. Johnson’s drag was more than performance; it was a celebration of self and a statement of resistance against discrimination.
Stonewall Riots - A Catalyst for Change: On the night of June 28, 1969, police raided the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in Greenwich Village. The event sparked spontaneous protests that marked the beginning of the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement. Marsha P. Johnson was on the front lines, reportedly among the first to resist the police. Her activism during those crucial days galvanized others to demand dignity and equality. Johnson’s courage at Stonewall became legendary, and her actions helped ignite a global movement for LGBTQ+ liberation.
As a Black activist, Johnson’s prominent role at Stonewall also helped foreground the crucial contributions of Black individuals in the fight for queer rights, underscoring that Black history is LGBTQ+ history.
Activism and Support for Homeless Transgender Youth: After Stonewall, Johnson dedicated her life to helping those most marginalized within the LGBTQ+ community. Alongside fellow activist Sylvia Rivera, she co-founded the Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries (STAR) in 1970. STAR created safe spaces, provided shelter, and advocated for the rights of homeless transgender youth and sex workers. Johnson’s activism extended to marches, protests, and advocacy for access to healthcare and justice for all queer people. Her compassion saved countless lives and laid the groundwork for future generations of activists.
Legacy in Media: Marsha P. Johnson’s extraordinary life has been celebrated and remembered in several movies and documentaries. Notably, the Netflix documentary The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson (2017) investigates her mysterious death and highlights her activism. The film has educated new audiences on her legacy and the struggles still faced by transgender people. Johnson is also depicted in the 2015 film Stonewall, and the documentary Pay It No Mind: The Life and Times of Marsha P. Johnson (2012), ensuring her story continues to inspire.
Marsha P. Johnson State Park: In 2020, a Brooklyn waterfront park was renamed Marsha P. Johnson State Park in her honor. Located in Williamsburg, this seven-acre park honors her advocacy and impact. Adorned with vibrant art that reflects Johnson’s life and activism, the park is not only a recreational space but also a symbol of recognition and respect for LGBTQ+ history and Black history. The park stands as a testament to her enduring legacy and the ongoing fight for justice and equality.
Famous Quotes
Marsha P. Johnson’s words still resonate with activists and allies today. Among her most celebrated sayings are:
- “No pride for some of us without liberation for all of us.”
- “As long as gay people don’t have their rights all across America, there’s no reason for celebration.”
- “Pay it no mind.”—Her trademark phrase, which became a motto for self-acceptance and resilience.
These quotes capture Johnson’s vision for an inclusive movement rooted in justice and solidarity, amplifying the voices of both Black and queer communities.
Marsha P. Johnson’s courage, compassion, and unwavering fight for equality transformed the landscape of LGBTQ+ rights in America and beyond. From her fearless role at Stonewall to her advocacy for the most vulnerable, she embodied the spirit of activism and hope. As a key figure in both LGBTQ+ and Black history, Johnson’s legacy endures in the hearts of those continuing the struggle for justice, in the art of drag, the safety of shelters, and the pathways of Marsha P. Johnson State Park. She reminds us that true pride is found in fighting for the liberation and dignity of all.
The Gayly online. 2/24/26 @ 12:04 p.m. CST.
Sources available upon request.