Written by: Krishma Thapa - 27005, Grade VIII
Posted on: 21 July, 2022
Marsha P.Johnson was born on August 24, 1945 and was also known as Malcolm Micheals Jr was an American gay liberation activist. Johnson was one of the important figures in the Stonewall uprising 1969.Johnson was a founding member of the Gay Liberation Front and co-founded the rdical activist group. Johnson was a popular figure in New York City’s Gay and art scene. Johnson first started wearing dresses at 5 but then stopped due to getting bullied. Johnsonwas a victim of rape by a 13 years old. Johnson never self identified as transgender. Along with Sylvia Rivera, Johnson established the Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries a group coitted to support trans gender youth experincing homelessnedd in New York city. Johnson was the one to start pride. The stonewall riots were a series of spontaneous protests by members of the gay community in response to police raid that began in the morning hour of june 28. First President Bill Clinton declared June “Gay and Lesbian Pride month” in 1999. Then Barack Obama declared June LGBT Pride month in 2016. Later, President Joe Biden declared June LGBTQ+ Pride Month in 2021.The pride flag was created in 1978 by gay designer and political activitist Glivert Baker. On our streets, at our parades, even on our clothing, the rainbow flah has become a worldwide symbol of LGBTQ+ parade. The different colors within the flag were mean to represent togetherness, since LGBT people come in all races, age and gender. In connection with sex work, Johnson claimed to have been arrested over 100 times and was also shot once. In David France’s Documentry, The Death and Life of Marsha P.Johnson, Johnson is seen participating in 1980s memorial service and action for those who’ve died of AIDS. Shortly after the 1992, Gay Pride Parade Johnson’s body was found floating in the Hudson River in 1992 .Johnson was tragically murdered at the age of forty six. Johnson was one of the activists who had been drawing attention to this epidemic of violence against the community, participating in marches and other activism to demand justice for victims. Johnson’s body was cremated and following a funeral at a local church. After the funeral, a series of demonstrations and marches to the police precinct took place, to demand justice for Johnson.
