Tuesday, August 28, 2018
Your Celebratory Quote
FEATURED
An Architect of Her Own Narrative
Without her, LGBTQ+ rights and acceptance wouldn’t be where it is today. Unabashed and unafraid to stand up for who she was and what she believed in, Marsha P. Johnson took the world by storm and powerfully influenced how we perceive gender and sexuality.
As a Black, poor, transwoman, life couldn’t have been easy for Johnson in the ‘60s. But even through her mental illness and hardships, she persevered and brought joy and hope into the lives of others.
One of the amazing things Johnson did was co-found STAR house, which she saw as a refuge for homeless LGBTQ+ youth. She envisioned bringing together the community because at the time, transvestites were not as accepted by other gays. Although considered an “other,” Johnson worked hard so that nobody would feel that way.
“I’d like to see the gay revolution get started,” Johnson said during an interview with Voices of Gay Liberation. “When straight people [...] don’t see an action they think, ‘gays are all forgotten now, they’re worn out, they’re tired.”
And Johnson did act. While celebrating her 25th birthday on June 28th, 1969 at the Stonewall Inn—a bar in New York City where the gay community could comfortably get together—the pub was raided and Johnson was one of the first to resist. She ended up being a key figure in the Stonewall Riots and paved the way for today’s gay civil rights movements.
With all that’s going on in America right now, Johnson’s life and legacy reminds us to fight for our rights with the mindset that if you don’t, nobody will.
ARTICLES
-
She Will Not Be Limited to Boundaries of Society
Actress Kelly Marie Tran speaks out in a powerful piece on her experience being an Vietnamese American who has always been labeled as an “other”after she deleted her Instagram due to online harassment. She reveals her name is Loan and that the harassment she faced, which many face based on race and ethnicity will not be slowing her down. It’s not a secret that bullying can be very real online and damaging to your real life health.
-
Multifaceted Marvel Writer Hails From Chicago
Academic, poet, and playwright, oh my! Eve Ewing is officially announced as Marvel’s “Ironheart” writer. It’s amazing that a Black female writer will be writing for a Black female character. It’s a big win for representation and adding more fuel to the idea that Afrofuturismisn’t actually the future—it’s now!
SHOUT OUTS
-
LatinoJustice
This week we are shouting out LatinoJustice as we reflect on the continued separation of families and inhumane imprisonment. This national organization works to support transformative justice while empowering communities. Learn more about their work and how you can engage.
-
LVM Dreams
This week we also are shouting out LVM Dreams which recently helped bring another fully inclusive playground to a town in need. This organization works to create spaces that are barrier free and enjoyable for anyone who faces challenges that range from physical to cognitive to sensory. Learn more about their work and how you can engage.
Stay in the Loop
Subscribe to our newsletter, Perspectives for Progress!