Lake View East in Chicago in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Marsha P. Johnson

The Legacy Walk

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, August 26, 2021

1. Marsha P. Johnson Marker

Inscription.

Marsha P. Johnson. The Legacy Walk. Marsha P. Johnson Transgender African American Activist (1945 - 1992), . "If a transvestite doesn't say I'm gay and proud and I'm a transvestite... nobody else is going to say it for them." - Marsha P. Johnson, Malcolm Michaels, Jr. left his home in Elizabeth, New Jersey to transform into “Black Marsha” on the train into New York. Survival after a permanent move there in 1966 was difficult. At times she waitressed or panhandled, but mostly she worked the streets. Along the way Black Marsha became Marsha P. Johnson. When she was asked by a judge what the “P” stood for, she retorted “Pay it no mind” – which was the philosophy of her incandescent life. Marsha was memorably present at the Stonewall Riots in 1969 where any number of actions have been attributed to her legend – including shimmying up a lamppost to drop a heavy weight that shattered a police car’s windshield. In the early 1970s Marsha, along with her friend Sylvia Rivera, co-founded Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries (S.T.A.R.) – one of the first transgender rights organizations in the country. In spite of her influence and popularity, Marsha’s life was by no means easy. Breakdowns, religious visions, health scares, numerous threats by disgruntled johns, and run-ins with the law served as a dark counterpoint to her buoyant personality and unabashedly colorful attire. Naturally theatrical, she appeared regularly with the flamboyant performance group, the Hot Peaches Review, and was photographed by Andy Warhol as part of his “Ladies and Gentleman” Polaroid series in 1974. In spite of all she had endured, Marsha was a bright light of love and acceptance in a world that was anything but welcoming. She was a survivor. So when her body was found floating in the Hudson River after the 1992 New York Pride Parade – a death the authorities hastily declared a suicide without any forensic evidence to support the claim – her family and friends were outraged. Subsequent private examinations of police reports, sealed records, and interviews have revealed clues that point to possible foul play and hints of a cover-up. A re-opened investigation changed the cause of her death to “undetermined.” The mystery of what – or who – took the life of Marsha P. Johnson remains unsolved.

Marsha P. Johnson
Transgender African American Activist
(1945 - 1992)

"If a transvestite doesn't say I'm gay and proud and I'm a transvestite... nobody else is going to say it for them."
- Marsha P. Johnson

Malcolm Michaels, Jr. left his home in Elizabeth, New Jersey to transform into “Black Marsha” on the train into New York. Survival after a permanent move there in 1966 was difficult. At times she waitressed or panhandled, but mostly she worked the streets. Along the way Black Marsha became Marsha P. Johnson. When she was asked by a judge what the “P” stood for, she retorted “Pay it no mind” – which was the philosophy of her incandescent life. Marsha was memorably present at the Stonewall Riots in 1969 where any number of actions have been attributed to her legend – including shimmying up a lamppost to drop a heavy weight that shattered a police car’s windshield. In the early 1970s Marsha, along with her friend Sylvia Rivera, co-founded Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries (S.T.A.R.) – one of the first transgender rights organizations in the country. In spite of her influence and popularity, Marsha’s life was by no means easy. Breakdowns, religious visions, health scares, numerous threats by disgruntled johns, and run-ins with the law served as a dark

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counterpoint to her buoyant personality and unabashedly colorful attire. Naturally theatrical, she appeared regularly with the flamboyant performance group, the Hot Peaches Review, and was photographed by Andy Warhol as part of his “Ladies and Gentleman” Polaroid series in 1974. In spite of all she had endured, Marsha was a bright light of love and acceptance in a world that was anything but welcoming. She was a survivor. So when her body was found floating in the Hudson River after the 1992 New York Pride Parade – a death the authorities hastily declared a suicide without any forensic evidence to support the claim – her family and friends were outraged. Subsequent private examinations of police reports, sealed records, and interviews have revealed clues that point to possible foul play and hints of a cover-up. A re-opened investigation changed the cause of her death to “undetermined.” The mystery of what – or who – took the life of Marsha P. Johnson remains unsolved.

Erected 2018 by The Legacy Project.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Women. In addition, it is included in the The Legacy Walk series list. A significant historical date for this entry is August 24, 1945.

Location. 41° 56.919′ N, 87° 38.978′ W.

Marsha P. Johnson Marker - wide view image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, August 26, 2021

2. Marsha P. Johnson Marker - wide view

The Johnson marker shares a rainbow pylon with the marker for Sylvia Rivera.

Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in Lake View East. Marker is on North Halsted Street south of Waveland Avenue, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3656 North Halsted Street, Chicago IL 60613, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Sylvia Rivera (here, next to this marker); Dra. Antonia Pantoja (a few steps from this marker); David Kato Kisule (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Jane Addams (about 300 feet away); Lorraine Hansberry (about 300 feet away); Two Spirit (about 300 feet away); Josephine Baker (about 300 feet away); James Baldwin (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.

Also see . . .
1. Marsha P. Johnson. Wikipedia entry:

Excerpt: "Marsha P. Johnson (August 24, 1945 – July 6, 1992), born and also known as Malcolm Michaels Jr., was an American gay liberation activist and self-identified drag queen. Known as an outspoken advocate for gay rights, Johnson was one of the prominent figures in the Stonewall uprising of 1969. Though some have mistakenly credited Johnson for starting the riots, Johnson was always forthcoming about having not been present when the riots began.

Johnson was a founding member of the Gay Liberation Front and co-founded the radical activist group Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries (S.T.A.R.), alongside close friend

3. Marker inset: Marsha P. Johnson
Sylvia Rivera. Johnson was also a popular figure in New York City's gay and art scene, modeling for Andy Warhol, and performing onstage with the drag performance troupe Hot Peaches. Johnson was known as the "mayor of Christopher Street" due to being a welcoming presence in the streets of Greenwich Village. From 1987 through 1992, Johnson was an AIDS activist with ACT UP."

(Submitted on September 8, 2021.)

2. Marsha P. Johnson. National Park Service website entry (Submitted on September 8, 2021.)

3. About Marsha P. Johnson. The Marsha P. Johnson Institute website entry (Submitted on September 8, 2021.)

Additional keywords. lgbt lgbtq

Credits. This page was last revised on July 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 8, 2021, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 192 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 8, 2021, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.