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Marsha P. Johnson
Helping build the movement for LGBT rights and shelter for homeless transgender youth.
Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries · STAR House
- Born
- 24 August 1945
- Birthplace
- Elizabeth, United States
- Died
- July 1992
More people
Marsha P. Johnson
Marsha P. Johnson was an American activist and performer associated with Stonewall and Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries. Her organising linked liberation with practical support for people living on the margins.
Early life
New Jersey childhood
Grew up in Elizabeth in a working-class family.
New York move
Moved to Manhattan after high school and became part of its drag and street communities.
Career
- 1969
Stonewall and organising
Participated in the uprising and subsequent gay-liberation activism.
- 1970s
STAR and performance
Co-founded STAR with Sylvia Rivera and performed with theatre groups.
- 1980s–1992
AIDS activism
Supported people with AIDS and continued campaigning in New York.
Contributions
Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries
Helped organise mutual support for transgender and gender-nonconforming people.
STAR House
Provided shelter and food for young people facing homelessness.
Drag theatre
Performed with groups including Hot Peaches.
Beyond work
Faith
Described herself as Catholic and also had connections to Santería.
Unresolved death
Her body was found in the Hudson River in July 1992; the circumstances remain disputed.
Sources & photo credit
Life, career and references ↗Career and contributions ↗Original photograph. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.
Photo: Pay It No Mind. Copyrighted image; source credit retained · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.