Marsha P.Johnson

The story of Marsha P. Johnson and the stonewall riots.

Marsha P. Johnson was an AfricanAmerican gay man and drag artist from New Jersey, their activism in the 1960’s and 70’s had a huge impact on the LGBTQ+ community. At the time, being gay was considered a ‘mental illness’ in the US. Gay people were threatened, beaten and abused by police and shunned in society. Marsha stated the ‘P’ stood for ‘pay it no mind’ which was a phrase they used when peopled commented on their appearance and life choices. Marsha is known as the main leader of the stonewall riots. This uprise began on June 28th 1969, when New York City police raided the Stonewall Inn, a gay club in Greenwich Village. The raid sparked a riot among people at the bar and local residents as police roughly hauled employees and customers out of the bar, leading to six days of protesting and clashes with law enforcement outside the bar, in neighbouring streets and in a park nearby. The stonewall riots served as one of the first catalysts for the gay rights movement in the US and around the world. The 1960’s and following decades were definitely not welcoming times for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender americans, in fact solicitation of same sex relations was illegal in New York city. For this reason, LGBTQ+ individuals flocked to gay bars and clubs, they acted as a place of refuge where they could express themselves and socialise without worry and fear. However, the New York State LIquor authority penalized and shut down these clubs or anywhere that served alcohol to known or suspected LGBTQ+ individuals, stating that the gathering of homosexuals was ‘disorderly’. Thanks to activist’s efforts, these regulations were overturned in 1966, and LGBTQ+ members could now be served alcohol. However, engaging in gay behaviour in public (anything from holding hands to dancing and kissing) was still illegal, so police brutality at gay bars continued, but usually corrupt cops would tip off mafiarun bars before the raids occured, allowing owners to hide the alcohol and hide other illegal activities.The Stonewall riots are a vital part of gay history as it led to the creation of many organisations. On the one year anniversary of the riots, thousands marched from the stonewall inn to central park in parade.