Marsha P Johnson Pin

Soft Enamel Pin

Size: 1.25” by 2.25”

Marsha P. Johnson was a key figure in the 1960s and 1970s gay rights movement in New York City, advocating for homeless LGBTQ+ youth and those affected by HIV/AIDS. Born on August 24, 1945, in New Jersey, she faced challenges growing up in a working-class family and moved to NYC after high school with limited resources. Embracing her identity, she adopted the name Marsha P. Johnson, where "p" stood for "Pay It No Mind." Johnson became involved in the gay rights movement after the Stonewall Inn raid in 1969, where she was a front-line protester. Frustrated by the exclusion of transgender and LGBTQ+ people of color, she co-founded the Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries (STAR) with Sylvia Rivera to support marginalized youth. Throughout the 1970s, Johnson became more visible, performing in drag shows and advocating for equal rights. Despite personal struggles, including mental health issues and a diagnosis of HIV, Johnson continued her activism. She was found dead in the Hudson River in 1992, initially ruled a suicide, but many suspected foul play. Her legacy is honored with monuments and documentaries, symbolizing her lasting impact on the LGBTQ+ community.