WebHappy Birthday, Marsha! Darling, I want my gay rights now. On July 6, 1992, Johnsons body was found in the Hudson River. In 2012, the New York Police Department reopened the case into Johnsons death. That interview originally appeared on his show, Making Gay History. Describe Marshas and Sylvias friendship. Marsha P. Johnson never self-identified with the term transgender, but the term was also not in broad use while she was alive. There's still a lot of behind-the-scenes educating that has to happen for cis people who don't understand transness or gender nonconformity. AMERICAN IDENTITY AND CITIZENSHIP; ACTIVISM AND SOCIAL CHANGE, Major support for Women & the American Story provided by, Lead support for New-York Historicals teacher programs provided by, In 1975, artist Andy Warhol crossed paths with Marsha and photographed her for his. And it was an impressive sight. Please try again. In the 1970s, Johnson experienced a series of mental health breakdowns and spent time in and out of psychiatric hospitals. Always sporting a smile, Johnson was an Wells, Anna Julia Cooper were sidelined as Black women. Gertrude Kasebier, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution. Lee: I think people have a pretty decent grasp of lesbian, gay, bi. The Stonewall Inn uprising was also a turning point in the visibility of the gay rights movement. In 2020, New York State named a waterfront park in Brooklyn for Johnson. In 1973, Rivera participated in the Gay Pride Parade but was not allowed to speak, despite the amount of work and advocacy she had done. Black trans lives matter. Johnson grew up in a religious family and began attending Mount Teman African Methodist Episcopal Church as a child; she remained a practicing Christian for the rest of her life. Lee: That was Raquel Willis, a Black trans activist and director of communications for the Ms. Foundation. or a search for the Black Trans Lives Matter movement. Rivera ran away from home at age 11 and became a victim of sexual exploitation around 42nd Street. Like, we all carry insecurities about our gender, about who we are and who we're supposed to be in the world. History isnt something you look back at and say it was inevitable, it happens because people make decisions that are sometimes very impulsive and of the moment, but those moments are cumulative realities. Marsha P. Johnson, How many years has it taken people to realize that we are all brothers and sisters and human beings in the human race? But the impact of STAR had already been felt by many. And we saw just from the turnout for the Rally for Black Trans Lives that there is momentum there also. One morning, they returned to the truck just as it was pulling away with STAR residents sleeping inside. She wanted to protect young transpeople living on the street by giving them a home. MLA Rothberg, Emma. no. and AIDS, and gay and transgender rights. You say Marsha P. Johnson, and people who don't know, she was so about it, right, and so about the work. Sometimes, the strangers were violent. Johnson: And Sylvia Rivera and them were over in the park having a cocktail. Raised by her grandmother, Rivera began experimenting with clothing and makeup at a young age. Marsha P. Johnson: The way I winded up being at Stonewall that night, I was having a party uptown. New-York Historical Society. And the circumstances around his case admittedly are very murky. Unidentified African American woman in uniform, 1861. When we're talking to white people about white supremacy, we could say, "Read how to be an antiracist," right? Oil on canvas. Johnson was outspoken about the risks of tackling the Mob; her roommate at the time had been lobbying to have officials with alleged Mafia ties removed from the I really appreciate it. Her father was absent and her mother died by suicide when Rivera was 3 years old. Rivera said of Johnson that she was like a mother to me. The two were actively involved in the Stonewall Inn uprising on June 28, 1969 when patrons of the Stonewall Inna gay bar in Greenwich Village in lower Manhattanrebuffed a police raid and set a new tone for the gay rights movement. Marsha spent most of her life without a permanent home. especially the women. Well never share your email with anyone else. Meilan Solly, New York City Monument Will Honor Transgender Activists Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera, Smithsonian Magazine, June 3, 2019, Hugh Ryan, Power to the People: Exploring Marsha P. Johnsons Queer Liberation,. Marsha P. Johnson was a proud and outspoken member of the LGBTQ+ community before it was popular to be so. Marsha P. Johnson. National Womens History Museum. The troubles she experienced as a child followed her into adulthood. The case involving Marshas death remained closed for decades. Invite students to. The final bill passed in 2002 and prevents discrimination on the basis of actual or perceived sexual orientation in employment, housing, public accommodations, education, credit, and the exercise of civil rights.. Sewall Chan, Marsha P. Johnson, Overlooked. The riots had already started. There are many competing stories about what Johnson did during the raid on the Stonewall Inn, but it is clear she was on the front lines. The story of a transgender activist who participated in the Stonewall Uprising and fought for equal rights. After a boy sexually assaulted her, she stopped wearing the clothes she loved and felt most comfortable in. Johnson, an African American self-identified drag queen and activist, was also battling exclusion in a But life didnt start out fearlessly for Johnson. As one of the leaders of the Stonewall Inn uprising, the Black transgender woman was an early activist for LGBTQ+ rights in New York City. Soon, Marsha was attending rallies, sit-ins, and meetings of the newly formed Gay Liberation Front. You know, when I had this recent conversation with my brother, I left the conversation, you know, I was angry and I was tearful 'cause it does hurt. We can educate you, learn the history. But in the 1950s and 1960s, LGBTQ peoples rights were strictly limited. WebMARSHA P JOHNSON SAVES BOY Randolfe Wicker 633 views 10 years ago Trans Women of Color and the Stonewall Riots Rachel Simon 1.7K views 7 years ago That is just another element of patriarchy. (LAUGH) But is her name and folks who came after her and worked alongside her, are those names forgotten, overlooked by accident, by intent? Chicago Rothberg, Emma. When she was wearing these items Both women continued to be persistent voices for the rights of people of color and low-income queer and Trans communities for the remainder of their lives; Marshas life was cut short in 1992, though the details of her death remain a mystery. I think the first thing people need to do is really sit down and analyze themselves, answer what their insecurities are around anything, you know, but particularly around gender. Lee: How much does class play in all this? Chicago Rothberg, Emma. Today, a look at how racism and transphobia have pushed Black trans women to the fringe of the gay rights movement and the movement for Black lives, and what's being done to change that. Despite her joyous personality and ever-present smile, Johnson experienced hardship. IE 11 is not supported. Protest Leader: Black trans power matters. She began dressing almost exclusively in womens clothes and adopted the full name Marsha P. Johnson. Willis: First of all, anytime a celebrity tweets, I'm like, "How you got time for this?" Lee: Are we seeing that? Marsha P. Johnson. National Womens History Museum, 2022. 1890. And we were all out there. Rivera said in an interview in 2001 that while she did not throw the first Molotov cocktail at the police (a long-enduring myth), she did throw the second. The story of a company founded by four US Womens National Team soccer players seeking to challenge norms and inspire lasting progress. So there was infrastructure being built. To wear clothes typically associated with a different sex and is most commonly used to describe men who wear make-up and womens clothing. For Black trans lives especially, is this a time? The best email in your inbox.Filled with the days best good news. Invite students to research the ways in which Marshas legacy is being remembered today. No matter how marginalized you are, you can still be an oppressor. When it comes to transgender issues, I don't think people fully understand. Marsha was part of a growing community of LGBTQ youth who sought acceptance in New York City. Episode Toshiko Akiyoshi changed the face of jazz music over her sixty-year career. Dive into the world of small businesses with this compilation of powerful quotes that celebrate the entrepreneurial spirit, community impact, and unwavering commitment of local business owners. In June of 2019, just as New York City was entering their month of Pride celebrations, the City announced its plans to build two monuments honoring the late Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera for their lifelong commitment to ending oppression for marginalized communities. Lee: Raquel, thank you so much for your time. Alexander Street is an imprint of ProQuest that promotes teaching, research, Her friend Johnson brought her to the hospital and helped her get healthy again. Marsha is one of many Black Trans 2022. www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/marsha-p-johnson. Invite students to research recent activism around the extreme violence that trans women of color continue to face. 1893-1894. So you can't really say that womanhood is based in the ability to procreate as a woman. And in these moments where we see people rising up, and we see coalition building, and we see people coming together in the name of equality, do you believe in this moment that there is a true chance that we'll step closer to the equality that folks claim (LAUGH) they believe in? And I didn't get downtown till about 2:00. Note: Marshas life story includes a large amount of vocabulary that may be unfamiliar to teachers and students. Abigail Adams was an early advocate for women's rights. And that fearless attitude exemplifies how the Black transgender activist lived her life, leading the charge for LGBTQ+ rights every step of the way and helping instigate the Stonewall Inn uprising that sparked the gay pride movement. I am a senior. Lee: We got COVID-19, white supremacy, uprisings. [2]Two Transgender Activists Are Getting a Monument in New York You know, at every level there's a systemic transphobia that is not being addressed. 'Cause it's like you're only cherished if you're dead, or you're only cherished if you can be in the spotlight and in some ways serve this desire of a cis person for you to be a spectacle, right, so they can add another layer of distance to you. Marsha P. Johnson was an African-American, activist from New Jersey, whose work in the 1960's and 70's had a huge impact on the LGBTQ+ community. Toshiko Akiyoshi changed the face of jazz music over her sixty-year career. Lee: I always wonder, and I had been a police reporter for a long time, so I've covered all kinds of crimes. At Marshas funeral, hundreds of people showed up. Marsha and Sylvia later formed the Street Transvestite Activist Revolutionaries (STAR). Marsha described herself as a gay person, a transvestite, and a drag queen. Rivera said in a 1995 interview with The New York Times of participating in this parade, the movement had put me on the shelf, but they took me down and dusted me offStill, it was beautiful. According to NYC Mayor, Bill de Blasio, "putting up statues doesn't change everything, but it starts to change hearts and mindswe want to honor them because they lived their truth and they made history.[4] In addition to the monuments, Marsha P. Johnson State Park (previously East River State Park) in Brooklyn, NY has become the first state park in the state of New York to be dedicated to an LGBTQ person and a Trans woman of color. Here are 14 quotes from Johnson that capture her spirit and endless passion for LGBTQ+ rights: On Coming of Age: I was no one, nobody, from Nowheresville until I You know, I think about how more work needs to be done at our colleges and universities, in our Greek organizations, in our professional organizations, in the Congressional Black Caucus. Given what many are seeing as the historic nature of this speech out of left field from the blue dog democrat, this is not something you are going to want to We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. Honey, I promise you, I'm not. Were all in this rat race together! Marsha P. Johnson, I may be crazy, but that dont make me wrong. Marsha P. Johnson, I dont think you should be ashamed of anybody you know that has AIDS. WebMarsha P. Johnson: The way I winded up being at Stonewall that night, I was having a party uptown. New-York Historical Society Library. Diana Davies/Manuscripts and Archives Division, The New York Public Library, By Alexandra Burgos for NPS Cultural Landscapes Program, [1] Marsha P. Johnson, a black transgender woman, was a central figure in the gay liberation movement I never do it seriously. Marsha P. Johnson, We have to be visible. She also did not have a permanent home during this time, and bounced around sleeping at friends homes, hotels, restaurants, and movie theaters. I don't trust men that much anymore., On the Fight for Freedom: No pride for some of us without liberation for all of us., On Her Reputation: I know people think Im a stupid little street queen out there begging for change cause theres nothing else she knows how to do., On Gender Roles: I'm very comfortable around straight men. So it is hurtful, but I don't have the luxury of giving up. I mean, I think things have definitely shifted in the last few years of my career. Chicago Rothberg, Emma. 2021.www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/Sylvia-Rivera. So thank you very much for your time. On every level, Black cis folks are not doing enough to show up in new and expansive ways around gender and it's a problem. 1750. The full episode transcript for Into Black Trans Liberation. Always sporting a smile, Johnson was an important advocate for homeless LGBTQ+ youth, those effected by H.I.V. She also encouraged Sylvia to love herself and her identity. If I can't even get the people closest to me to understand what's going on, how am I gonna get the masses to get it?" Marsha P. Johnson at the First Christopher Street Liberation Day March, 1970. In front of a crowd at that rally for Black trans lives, she had this to say. But do we have a good enough holistic nuance view of that violence? I think about our media outlets and how often we don't have spaces like this, Trymaine, where a Black trans woman can come on and be in dialogue with a Black cis man about the state of the world. Explore our collection of the best LGBTQ+ Pride quotes. And I think what is consistent unfortunately is the sidelining of our voices and the sidelining of our experiences and work. She was excited about the work but frustrated at how white gay men and lesbians dominated the conversation. Willis: Of course. The Sylvia Rivera Law Project continues her legacy, working to guarantee all people are free to self-determine their gender identity and expression, regardless of income or race, and without facing harassment, discrimination, or violence. The intersection of Christopher and Hudson streets in Greenwich Village, two blocks from The Stonewall Inn, was renamed Sylvia Rivera Way. In 2015, a portrait of Rivera was added to the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C., making her the first transgender activist to be included in the gallery. Lee: You know, of course we've had this conversation around feminism and other movements before, whether women who are part of the movement are Black first or are they women first, gender first. Dunlap, David W., Sylvia Rivera, 50, Figure in Birth of the Gay Liberation Movement,New York Times, February 20, 2002,https://www.nytimes.com/2002/02/20/nyregion/sylvia-rivera-50-figure-in-birth-of-the-gay-liberation-movement.html. I found a little bit of joy having this complex, smart conversation with you. She started Transy House, modeled off STAR House, in 1997 in Park Slope, Brooklyn. Then when you get pregnant or something, they don't even want to know you., On Paying It Forward: Ill always be known [for] reaching out to young people who have no one to help them out, so I help them out with a place to stay or some food to eat or some change for their pocket. Brayla was just 17. Once back in the city, Rivera got involved again with the fight for the inclusion and recognition of transgender individuals. [3] These will be the first permanent monuments dedicated to Transgender women in the state of New York. Willis: I don't think so. (CHEERING). No quote encapsulates .css-47aoac{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:0.0625rem;text-decoration-color:inherit;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:#A00000;-webkit-transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;}.css-47aoac:hover{color:#595959;text-decoration-color:border-link-body-hover;}Marsha P. Johnson more than Pay It No Mind. After all, thats what she said her middle initial stood for. Reyes, Raul A., A Forgotten Latina Trailblazer: LGBT Activist Sylvia Rivera, NBC News, October 6, 2015,https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/forgotten-latina-trailblazer-lgbt-activist-sylvia-rivera-n438586. Together, they started raising their voices. They rented a dilapidated building with no electricity or running water. You know, we need the community organizers, and activists, and all those types of stories as well, and we don't often get that.
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