Dear Marsha P Johnson,
I’ll never forget when I first came in contact with your glorious memory. Sat cross legged on my uni accom single bed in the dark, eyes wide with amazement.
It was a classic girl happens upon queer heroine story. I was tasked with looking through the world’s most powerful activists and in my search, there you were. I read about your activism during Stonewall. I read about your fierce attitude for life as you lived it and your continued vibrancy, you shared so much defiant authenticity. It is because of you, I and countless others get to feel freer than we could ever imagine. It is also because of you that I’ve always known that we aren’t free until we’re ALL free. You taught me that.
It’s been 31 years since your passing and I want you to know that your impact reaches far beyond your time on this earth. And I’m honoured to have been able to been in the same lifetime as someone so fucking badass. Your fight for equality and justice inspires us all.
Thank you, Marsha P Johnson, for your bravery, resilience, and unwavering commitment to equality. As we honour your memory, we will continue to fight for justice, acceptance, and the rights of all queer people but especially for our trans and non-binary community.
Thank you for paving the way for generations to come.
With every defiant serve,
JC