In 1970, along with fellow activist Sylvia Rivera, she founded STAR - the Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries - which aimed to provide food, housing, legal aid, and other necessities to homeless trans youth. [13] Prior to Carter's book, it was claimed Johnson had "thrown a brick" at a police officer, an account that was never verified. [5] Police initially ruled the death a suicide,[37] but Johnson's friends and other members of the local community insisted Johnson was not suicidal and noted that the back of Johnson's head had a massive wound. I will also note that I didnt look into Marshas involvement in Stonewall during research for this episode, so I cant comment on how these sources deal with that. She didn't leave a note. It was the source of a lot of my background on life for queer youth on the streets of New York, as well as containing some information about Marsha. positive since 1990. It was like Oh my God. [13] Other locals stated later that law enforcement was not interested in investigating Johnson's death, stating that the case was about a "gay black man" and wanting little to do with it at the time. Rivera, Sylvia, "Transvestites: Your Half Sisters and Half Brothers of the Revolution" in, Shepard, Benjamin Heim and Ronald Hayduk (2002). [80] Randy Wicker later said that Johnson may have hallucinated and walked into the river, or may have jumped into the river to escape harassers, but stated that Johnson was never suicidal. [50][6] During a gay rights rally at New York City Hall in the early '70s, photographed by Diana Davies, a reporter asked Johnson why the group was demonstrating, Johnson shouted into the microphone, "Darling, I want my gay rights now! [45] Carter, however, concluded that Robinson had given several different accounts of the night and in none of the accounts was Johnson's name brought up, possibly in fear that if he publicly credited the uprising to Johnson, then Johnson's well-known mental state and gender nonconforming, "could have been used effectively by the movement's opponents". Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. By continuing to use this site, you consent to the terms of our cookie policy, which can be found in our. He began wearing girls clothing at a young age, but, after neighborhood children bullied him, he stopped. They also maintained the STAR House, a place of refuge for LGBTQ homeless youth. Shed spend her meager earnings on meals for others and couldnt walk downtown without multiple people calling her name, wishing her well. [40], While the photos of Johnson in dramatic, femme ensembles are the most well-known, there are also photos and film footage of Johnson dressed down in more daily wear of jeans and a flannel shirt and cap,[41] or in shorts and a tank top, and no wig, such as at the Christopher Street Liberation March in 1979,[42] or singing with the New York City Gay Men's Chorus at an AIDS memorial in the 1980s,[43] or marching in a protest in Greenwich Village in 1992. Andy Warhol: From A to B and Back Again (2018). [Image: Michael Dillon in his merchant navy uniform]. Johnson was born Malcolm Michaels, Jr., on August 24, 1945, in Elizabeth, New Jersey. That year we had 1,300 reports of bias crime. She was homeless and prostituted herself to make ends meet. Johnson switched names repeatedly as she established her persona, alternating between her given name Malcolm and Black Marsha before settling on Marsha P. Johnson. They just dropped her. 20072023 Blackpast.org. She worked both as a waitress and a sex worker. Marsha P. Johnson was born on August 24, 1945, in Elizabeth, New Jersey. Marsha P. Johnson (August 24, 1945 - July 6, 1992), also known as Malcolm Michaels Jr., [3] [4] was an American gay liberation [6] [7] activist and self-identified drag queen. Johnson is often credited with throwing the first stone after. Johnson's mother also encouraged her child to find a "billionaire" boyfriend or husband to take care of (Johnson) for life, a goal Johnson often talked about. Civic Engagement and Primary Sources Through Key Moments in History. Never without a flower in her hair, Marsha was also referred to as a saint, even the Patron Saint of the LGBTQ community. To share with more than one person, separate addresses with a comma. But many friends argued this ruling at the time, saying attacks on gay and trans people were common. She made intricate outfits out of garbage, modeled for Andy Warhol and wrote poetry. [75][76] According to Wicker, a witness saw a neighborhood resident fighting with Johnson on July 4, 1992. To re-enable the tools or to convert back to English, click "view original" on the Google Translate toolbar. Be aware that in looking into these sources you will come across some which misgender or deadname trans people. On July 6, 1992, her body was found floating in New York Citys Hudson River. [74][13], Several people came forward to say they had seen Johnson harassed by a group of "thugs" who had also robbed people. Marsha "Pay it No Mind" Johnson moved to Greenwich Village in 1963 with a high school diploma and $15 to her name. Pride: What is it and why do people celebrate it? [83], U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 19362007, Death, Burial, Cemetery & Obituaries: "Michaels, Malcolm Jr [Malcolm Mike Michaels Jr], [M Michae Jr], [Malculm Jr]. She was a Catholic with a strong sense of faith. All I want is my freedom. The two most extensive sources on Marsha are both documentaries: Pay It No Mind- Michael Kasinos 2012 documentary. [44] During those moments when Johnson's violent side emerged, according to an acquaintance Robert Heide, Johnson could be aggressive and short-tempered and speak in a deeper voice and, as Malcolm, would "become a very nasty, vicious man, looking for fights". We can be as active and resilient as Marsha P. Johnson because our fights are far from over." In 2015, The Marsha P. Johnson Institute was established. Marsha P. Johnson (August 24, 1945 July 6, 1992), also known as Malcolm Michaels Jr.,[3][4] was an American gay liberation[6][7] activist and self-identified drag queen. Find out more about the riots that started the Pride movement. However, she found joy as a drag queen amidst the nightlife of Christopher Street. It includes information and quotes from interviews with Marsha not found elsewhere. A feature photo of Johnson in this article shows Johnson in a flowing wig and makeup, and a translucent shirt, pants and parka highlighting the ways that, quoting Kate Millett's Sexual Politics, White says, "she is both masculine and feminine at once. These cookies do not store any personal information. And we were all like, Oh my God! They just dropped her. Photographed by Diana Davies. I also want to add that just because I referenced these sources doesnt mean I agree with everything they say. She sought out new interviews with witnesses, friends, other activists, and police who had worked the case or had been on the force at the time of Johnson's death. The particular video which I found useful in getting an understanding of Marsha was this video of people gathered at the memorial created beside the Hudson River in the days after her death. Considering the proximity that the Church of Saint Veronica has to the Stonewall Inn, its important to recognize that it was Trans, non-binary, and Queer People of Color who initiated and led the uprising that began on June 28, 1969, and that lasted throughout the following six days and nights, ultimately sparking the birth of the Gay Liberation Movement. She is credited for being an instigator in the Stonewall riots. [81], In December 2002, a police investigation resulted in reclassification of Johnson's cause of death from "suicide" to "undetermined". Marsha P. Johnson Institute - Marsha P. Johnson Institute Information Careers Resources Contact Us Newsletter Subscription Community Standards Privacy Policy Terms and Conditions Supporting The Marsha P. Johnson Institute Follow us PROTECT AND DEFEND THE HUMAN RIGHTS OF BLACK TRANS PEOPLE! Accessible across all of today's devices: phones, tablets, and desktops. For anyone wanting to learn more about drag queen and activist Marsha P. Johnson, this entire documentary is available for free on Youtube! Thats how legendary Stonewall leader Marsha P. Johnson came to be known in Greenwich Village due to her benevolence, kindness and generosity. As the nascent Gay Rights movement swirled around her, Johnson fought social mores, the police, and her own demons. "[29] Johnson distinguishes this from transsexual, defining transsexuals as those who are on hormones and getting surgery. Marsha was educated in the Elizabeth Public School System and graduated from Thomas A. Edison High School in 1963. Johnson variably identified as gay, as a transvestite, and as a queen (referring to drag queen or "street queen"). Despite this, following the events at Stonewall, Johnson and her friend .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;}Sylvia Rivera co-founded the Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries (STAR) and they became fixtures in the community, especially in their commitment to helping homeless transgender youth. Pay It No Mind - The Life and Times of Marsha P. Johnson - Thanks to the wisdom of Tony Nunziata, Jimmy Camicia, Richard Morrison, and Larry Show more Show more 55:56 Frameline Voices - Pay. I also recommend this one in particular if youd like a very in-depth look at the claims and evidence involved. Johnson would go on to create a trans rights group with Sylvia Rivera called Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries (STAR). My three main sources for this podcast were: For contemporary eye-witness accounts of Stonewall, you can read: Concerning Storm DeLarveries potential identity as theStonewall Lesbian, I referred to: Concerning Sylvia Riveras role in inciting the riots, I referred to: Concerning Marsha P. Johnsons role in inciting the riots, I referred to: James Gallagher, in Pay It No Mind - The Life and Times of Marsha P. Johnson. Above, we see Marsha standing in front of a Pride Week soup kitchen put on by the Church of Saint Veronica, apparently benefitting from these types of essential services offered at this unique Roman Catholic Church, which ministered to the vulnerable LGBTQ community. That summer Saturday, their anger reached a breaking point after the police returned to Stonewall Inn for the second time in two days. When she got to Stonewall, she encountered shouting, fire and chaos. Soul Poem Written and Performed By Marsha P. Johnson, introduced by Jimmy Camicia Cal Goodin 2 subscribers Subscribe 19 Share Save 591 views 2 years ago Soul: You can count your karma If. Weve been busy, working hard to bring you new features and an updated design. This book was the source of a lot of my information about Marshas relationship with Sylvia Rivera; about Marsha and Sylvias experiences in gay activism; and about STAR. [20] Johnson's mother reportedly said that being homosexual is like being "lower than a dog",[21] but Johnson said that Alberta was unaware of the LGBT community. The flagrant disregard for the life of someone who was Black and queer caused outrage in the community at the time, in an early echo of the type of purpose that powers the Black Lives Matter Movement. She is credited for being an instigator in the Stonewall riots. Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries, Thomas A. Edison Career and Technical Academy, same-sex marriage was illegal in the United States, "Marsha P. Johnson, a Transgender Pioneer and Activist The New York Times", "Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries", "Two Transgender Activists Are Getting a Monument in New York", "Making Gay History: Episode 11 Johnson & Wicker", "DA reopens unsolved 1992 case involving the 'saint of gay life', "The Death of Marsha P. Johnson and the Quest for Closure", A queer history of the United States for young people, "The inspiring life of activist and drag queen Marsha P. Johnson - A passionate advocate for gay rights, Marsha was an instrumental figure in the Stonewall uprising", "#LGBTQ: Doc Film, "The Death & Life of Marsha P. Johnson" Debuts At Tribeca Film Fest The WOW Report", "Feature Doc 'Pay It No Mind: The Life & Times of Marsha P. Johnson' Released Online. She is best remembered for her generosity and kindness, happily giving away her belongings, or spending her last two dollars on cookies to share around. She'd be wearing velvet and throwing glitter. Johnson moved to Greenwich Village in New York City after graduating from high school. This was the source of my direct quotes from Randy. [5][15][16][17] Commenting on this upbringing, Johnson said, "I got married to Jesus Christ when I was sixteen years old, still in high school. All Rights Reserved. On May 30, 2019, it was announced that Johnson and Sylvia Rivera would be honored with monuments at Greenwich Village, near the site of the Stonewall club. She is wearing pearls and has her hair in an up-do decorated with flowers and feathers.]. If you cant wait until tomorrow, have a listen to our episodes on Marsha P. Johnson and Storm DeLarverie, wholl both be featured (as well as Harvey Milk for an unexpected cameo!). This would be amongst the last activist causes in the life of a person whose voice changed the world. Marsha was memorably present at the Stonewall Riots in 1969 where any number of actions have been attributed to her legend - including shimmying up a lamppost to drop a heavy weight that shattered a police car's windshield. "[68] In the summer of 1991, Johnson participated in the interfaith AIDS memorial service at the Church of Saint Veronica in Greenwich Village. Marsha was devoutly spiritual, confessing: I practice the Catholic religion because the Catholic religion is part of the sangria (blood) of the saints, which says that we are all brothers and sisters in Christ.. During a time when same-sex marriage was illegal in the United States, the judge asked what "happened to this alleged husband", Johnson responded, "Pig shot him". When the officers attempted to perform an arrest, Johnson hit them with a handbag, which contained two bricks. [41], Though generally regarded as "generous and warmhearted" and "saintly" under the Marsha persona, Johnson's angry, violent side could sometimes emerge when Johnson was depressed or under severe stress. Supporting The Marsha P. Johnson Institute. During a tempestuous Christian childhood, around the age of five, Johnson began to dress as a girl. The two worked for gay and transgender rights while also providing housing for LGBTQ youth living on the streets. After translating an article, all tools except font up/font down will be disabled. Marsha's legacy lives on today in organisations such as the Marsha P. Johnson Institute, which says it "protects and defends the human rights of BLACK transgender people".
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