Some of the important people we celebrate during Pride
Among the many leaders of the riots were Marsha P Johnson and Sylvia Rivera.
Marsha P Johnson was a Black American drag artist who also identified as gay.
Although she didn't self-identify as transgender, she mostly used female pronouns (she/her).
Marsha played an important role in the LGBTQ+ movement, including the Stonewall Riots, and her activism during the 1960s and 1970s had a huge impact on the LGBTQ+ community.
Marsha was 23 years old, when the police raided the Stonewall Inn and was part of the riots. As a representative of the LGBTQ+ community.
After resisting arrest, Marsha led a series of protests and riots in the following days demanding equal rights for the LGBTQ+ community.
Throughout her life, Marsha was dedicated to helping others. She went missing in 1992 and was sadly found six days later she had passed away.
Marsha's legacy lives on today in organisations such as the Marsha P Johnson Institute (MPJI) which ‘protects and defends the human rights of Black transgender people.
In February 2020, the Mayor of New York renamed the East River State Park in Brooklyn the Marsha P Johnson State Park.
A statue created in honour of Marsha in February 2020,
The Mayor of New York renamed the East River State Park in Brooklyn the Marsha P Johnson State Park.
A statue created in honour of Marsha, this was delayed due to COVID-19. Later installed by activists in Christopher Park, located opposite the Stonewall Inn.
Another important person was…
Sylvia Rivera was a Latina-American drag artist who used she/her pronouns. She was a gay and transgender rights activist, known for participating in the Stonewall Riots, also taking part in demonstrations with the Gay Liberation Front. She also created Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries (STAR) alongside Marsha P Johnson to help house young, homeless LGBTQ+ people.
In honour of Rivera's activism, the Sylvia Rivera Law Project (SRLP) founded in 2002, the same year as her passing.
The organisation ‘works to guarantee all people are free to decide their gender identity and expression regardless of income and race, and without harassmg, homeless LGBTQ+ people.
Did you know….
Brenda Howard is largely credited with starting Pride Month. Known as ‘The Mother of Pride’.
Brenda coordinated and organised the first LGBTQ+ Pride march in 1970. Brenda also came up with the idea of having a week long series of events around the Pride march. This idea would later form the basis of the annual LGBTQ+ Pride celebrations that are now held around the world every June.
This Years Pride…
New Brighton Pride 2024 @ Victoria Quarter, New Brighton.
Saturday 31st August 2024.
New Brighton Pride – Official home of New Brighton Pride and Pride on the Wirral