| Ms. Major Griffin-Gracy, Marsha P. Johnson, and Sylvia Rivera are monumental figures in the LGBTQ+ rights movement, particularly for their roles during and after the Stonewall uprising of 1969. These three transgender women of color played pivotal roles in shaping the fight for LGBTQ+ equality.
Ms. Major Griffin-Gracy, a Black transgender woman, was present at Stonewall and has been a lifelong advocate for transgender rights, focusing on the intersection of race, gender, and incarceration. Her work with organizations like the Transgender Gender Variant Intersex Justice Project has been crucial in supporting transgender individuals in and out of the prison system.
Marsha P. Johnson, another Black transgender woman, co-founded the Gay Liberation Front and the Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries (STAR) with Sylvia Rivera. Johnson’s activism was instrumental in the immediate aftermath of Stonewall, providing visibility and leadership in the burgeoning LGBTQ+ movement.
Sylvia Rivera, a Latina transgender woman, faced significant adversity, including homelessness and discrimination. Despite these challenges, she remained a fierce advocate for marginalized members of the LGBTQ+ community. Rivera’s work with Johnson in founding STAR provided essential support and shelter to homeless queer youth.
Together, Ms. Major, Johnson, and Rivera’s activism transcended the Stonewall riots, highlighting the importance of intersectionality in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights. Their legacies continue to inspire and guide contemporary movements for equality and justice. |
