Activist - Marsha P Johnson

In honor of Black History Month, I am putting a spotlight on influential Black Americans that paved the way for others.

 

Our last Black History Month spotlight is Activist, Marsha P. Johnson.

Marsha was born Michael Malcolm James Jr. in New Jersey on August 24 1945. She began wearing dresses at the age of five but stopped after being harassed by neighborhood boys. After graduating high school, Marsha moved to New York City and after meeting gay people in the city she realized it was possible to be gay and came out.

As a black, poor, gay, non gender conforming person. Marsha certainly knew what it was like to be marginalized. Despite Marsha's own physical and mental health issues, she spent most of her life helping others. Marsha's drive to continually show up as her true self and fight for the rights of others is truly commendable.

 

In this episode Thea discusses:

• Who is Marsha P. Johnson?
• Her impact in the gay community and the gay liberation movement
• How she helped others feel comfortable about themselves and their sexual identity
• Why she did not back down when standing up for basic human rights

 

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Interviews and voice clips were sourced from YouTube

Frameline Voices - Pay it No Mind: The Life and Times of Marsha P. Johnson

Marsha P Johnson interviewed by Betty Brown

 

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