Marsha P. Johnson

One of the most prominent figures of the gay rights movement of the 1960s and 1970s in New York City. Marsha P. Johnson was was an American LGBTQ activist, sex worker and performer. Marsha P. Johnson was born Malcolm Michaels Jr. on August 24, 1945 in Elizabeth New Jersey, assigned male at birth. Transgender was not common term at the time. She was the fifth of seven children. Her parents were named Malcolm Michaels Sr. and Alberta Claiborne. Johnson’s father worked on the GM Assembly Line in Linden, NJ and her mother was a housekeeper.

Marsha P. Johnson in New York on June 27, 1982. Credit: Barbara Alper/Getty

Marsha spoke out against the transphobia pushed by many gay men, and advocated for queer rights to reduce incarceration rates and homelessness. Marsha's life changed dramatically when she found herself near the Stonewall riots in 1969. It was made clear Marsha was on the front lines when patrons fought back, though with conflicting stories. In 1990, Marsha contracted AIDS. On July 6th, 1992, Marsha's body was found floating on the Hudson River, the police refused to investigate, they offically ruled it as a suicide. Marsha has become an icon since then.

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