Trans Visibility

Marsha P. Johnson

Marsha P. Johnson (1945-1992) is a famous trans woman of color who lived a vivacious life in NYC. Prior to the word "transgender," many trans women were referred to as "drag queens." A drag queen is a man who performs as a woman for entertainment. Although it is true, unlike Jorgenson, Johnson performed for entertainment, she was mislabeled as a drag queen. Johnson was wrongfully mislabeled, like so many trans woman of color, because American society (both straight and LGBT) reserved the term "transgender" for the ones that underwent gender reassignment surgery. The term "transgender" has been reclaimed by the community regardless of the anatomy between your legs. Johnson is esteemed with starting the civil rights riots for the LGBT community in 1969. She is legendary. Johnson starred in a documentary that recorded the historical events leading up to, during and after the Stonewall riots: Pay it No Mind-- The Life and Times of Marsha P. Johnson. Sadly, Johnson's life ended tragically by drowning in the Hudson River. Her death is an unsolved mystery.
 

This page has paths:

This page references: