08/25/2026
It’s Marsha P. Johnson Day!
Marsha P. Johnson was an American LGBTQ+ activist, performer, and community leader who played an important role in the fight for gay and transgender rights. Johnson moved to New York City in the 1960s, where she became a well-known figure in the city’s LGBTQ+ community. Johnson is often associated with the Stonewall Inn and the 1969 Stonewall uprising, a series of protests that helped launch the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement.
While stories differ about her exact role on the first night, historians agree that she became a leading activist in the movement that followed.
Along with Sylvia Rivera, Johnson co-founded Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries (STAR) in 1970. The organization provided shelter, food, and support for homeless transgender and gender-nonconforming young people.
Marsha P. Johnson was also known for her vibrant personality, distinctive flower-crowned style, and dedication to helping others. She remained active in LGBTQ+ advocacy and AIDS activism throughout the 1980s. She died in 1992, and although her death was initially ruled a su***de, the case was later reopened after concerns were raised by friends and activists.
Today, Marsha P. Johnson is remembered as a symbol of courage, compassion, and the ongoing struggle for equality. Her legacy continues to inspire people working for LGBTQ+ rights and social justice around the world.
