Marsha P. Johnson
Biography Marsha P. Johnson was born on August 24th, 1945. She was an LGBTQ+ activist, self-identified drag queen, performer, and survivor. The P in her name stood for “Pay It No Mind,� which is what she would say in response to questions about her gender identity. Her surname, Johnson, came from a restaurant where she liked to spend time called Howard Johnsons. Johnson always wore very brightly colored outfits. Her outfits included bright, colorful wigs, costume jewelry, shimmering robes and dresses, plastic flowers, and sometimes even artificial fruit in her hair. She was also a member of Hot Peaches, an avant-drag performance troupe that toured America and Europe. She died on July 6th in 1992 at the age of 46. However, the circumstances of her death are still uncertain today. Johnson was mainly mourned for by her friends, but not much news made it into the mainstream media.
Contributions - She helped found STAR (Street Transgender Action Revolutionaries) with activist Sylvia Rivera - STAR was an organization created to support homeless gay and trans individuals - STAR also organized shelters for drag queens and homeless transgender teens - Johnson was also an AIDS activist - She attended meetings and protests of ACT UP, an AIDS advocacy organization - She was a key figure in the uprisings at Stonewall Inn - Johnson also helped form the Gay Liberation Front, which advocated for the sexual liberation of everyone
Marsha’s Monument Marsha’s monument will be a statue of her dressed in what she would normally wear. There would be flowers and/or artificial fruit in her hair, a dress or robe, and lots of jewelry. She would also be holding a sign as if she were at a protest.
Location Location #1: George Mason University - Marsha’s statue will be put in the grassy area with all of the benches near Fenwick Library
Location #2: London - The second location of her statue would be in London - Johnson used to do performances for Hot Peaches in London, which is why this location was chosen - The monument could be located near the London Eye
“As long as my people don’t have their rights across America, there’s no reason for celebration.” - Marsha P. Johnson