Marsha P. Johnson

From Stonewall to Pride, the fight for equal rights has been rooted in resistance led by Black transwomen

Retrieved on: 
Friday, June 30, 2023

Its unclear who threw the first brick at Stonewall Inn on that night in New York City that arguably launched the gay rights liberation movement.

Key Points: 
  • Its unclear who threw the first brick at Stonewall Inn on that night in New York City that arguably launched the gay rights liberation movement.
  • As part of queer lore, Marsha P. Johnson, a Black transwoman at the forefront of gay liberation, or Sylvia Rivera, a Latina transwoman, was the first.
  • But based on their accounts of that night of June 28, 1969, neither threw that first brick.
  • Despite some social progress, Black transwomen continue to pay the price, sometimes with their lives.

Misperceptions of the Stonewall Riots

    • I have learned that the story of Stonewall became popularized when a movie was released in 2015.
    • But the “Stonewall” movie was met with harsh criticism for whitewashing the story and omitting the role of Black and Latina queer people.

An overlooked act of defiance

    • Stonewall was not the first act of public defiance by a gay community.
    • The Compton’s Cafeteria riot took place about three years before Stonewall and nearly 3,000 miles away in San Francisco.
    • Compton’s Cafeteria, located in San Francisco’s Tenderloin district, was a popular late-night gathering spot in the 1960s for transgender people, particularly transwomen.
    • This act of resistance ignited a spontaneous uprising within the cafeteria and on the streets.

Hate still runs rampant

    • In addition, the murder of transpeople nearly doubled from 29 deaths in 2017 to 56 in 2021, according to the nonprofit Everytown for Gun Safety.
    • So far in 2023, the murders of Cashay Henderson, a Black transwoman and KoKo Da Doll, the lead actor in “Kokomo City,” a Sundance Award-winning documentary, serve as tragic reminders of the ongoing violence and discrimination targeting queer people.

Marsha P. Johnson Institute Celebrates Pride Month With a Revival of Love

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, June 1, 2023

At a time when anti-trans legislation and hateful rhetoric continue to reach historical highs, the Marsha P. Johnson Institute (MPJI) today announced an urgent petition and series of events to celebrate Pride 2023, enveloped in the theme A Revival of Love.

Key Points: 
  • At a time when anti-trans legislation and hateful rhetoric continue to reach historical highs, the Marsha P. Johnson Institute (MPJI) today announced an urgent petition and series of events to celebrate Pride 2023, enveloped in the theme A Revival of Love.
  • “Now more than ever, we have to prioritize our health, our love for ourselves,” said MPJI Founder & CEO Elle Moxley.
  • A Revival of Love celebrates the interconnectedness and interdependence of all human beings, recognizing the inherent worth and dignity of Black trans people along with all people.
  • All year, MPJI continuously embodies the spirit of its namesake, Marsha P. Johnson, an icon and pioneer in the fight for transgender rights and visibility.

23rd Baloise Art Prize awarded at Art Basel 2022

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, June 14, 2022

The Baloise Art Prize has been awarded to Tourmaline and Helena Uambembe.

Key Points: 
  • The Baloise Art Prize has been awarded to Tourmaline and Helena Uambembe.
  • The prize of CHF 30,000.- will be presented at the Statements sector of Art Basel by a jury of international experts.
  • The prize includes the acquisition by Baloise of works by the award winners, which are donated to two important museums in Europe: the MMK Frankfurt and the MUDAM, Luxembourg.
  • Located at the heart of Europe, with its head office in Basel, the Baloise Group is a provider of prevention, pension, assistance and insurance solutions.

Google Donates $500,000 To The Marsha P. Johnson Institute To Support Black Transgender Community

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, June 30, 2020

Marsha went by "Black Marsha" before settling on Marsha P. Johnson.

Key Points: 
  • Marsha went by "Black Marsha" before settling on Marsha P. Johnson.
  • It is the consideration of who "Black Marsha" was that inspired The Marsha P. Johnson Institute.
  • "Google.org's efforts to end racial injustice and support LGBTQ+ organizations includes a grant to The Marsha P. Johnson Institute, an organization working to end violence against Black+ transgender women."
  • The Marsha P. Johnson Institute (MPJI) protects and defends the human rights of black transgender people.

Lady Gaga Shares Her Instagram To Give A Voice To The Black Transgender Community

Retrieved on: 
Friday, June 26, 2020

Marsha went by "Black Marsha" before settling on Marsha P. Johnson.

Key Points: 
  • Marsha went by "Black Marsha" before settling on Marsha P. Johnson.
  • It is the consideration of who "Black Marsha" was that inspired The Marsha P. Johnson Institute.
  • The institute was also founded in response to the high rate of murders of Black trans women and women of color.
  • The Marsha P. Johnson Institute (MPJI) protects and defends the human rights of black transgender people.