The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson
Documentary (2017)
Marsha P. Johnson says it in her own words, “Every gay counts”. That is the sentiment of this investigative documentary. Marsha P. Johnson was a transgender woman, who was at the forefront of the gay rights movement. Alongside her closest friend Sylvia Rivera, the two created “STAR”, a nonprofit group to help trans people in the community find support, food and shelter. Marsha and Sylvia are reported to be two leaders who began the riot of Stonewall, in June of 1969. The Stonewall is a gay bar in lower manhattan starting in the era when being gay was against the law. The police raided the bar and began to arrest patrons. The police had done this many times before, but this night was different. That is when the people being arrested had enough, and began to fight back. Now called the Stonewall Uprising, the riots, fires, and fighting the police lasted through the night. The very next day, the first pride march occurred, and STAR was created shortly after that.
Sadly, Marsha’s death was thought by many of her closest friends to be a suspicious death. In 1992, she was found floating in the Hudson River, along the pier. Police quickly ruled it a suicide and swept the case under the rug. Yet, gay rights activists and Marsha’s friends deny that she was suicidal. Marsha was known by everyone to be a happy person. The police claimed that she was giving away her things, therefore suicidal, but her friends say, she was just like that, giving. If anyone liked a scarf or accessory she’d give it to them. This is an example of a generous spirit, not someone emotionally on the edge. Even a woman who learns of her death says on camera ‘oh Marsha, I knew Marsha, she was like the happiest person I ever met’ {paraphrased}.
The activist who picks up the case is Victoria Cruz of The Anti-Violence Project. Victoria is also transgender and is no stranger to trauma and discrimination. She feels this case is a personal one for her because she knew Marsha and has her own story of abuse. She has been working on it for decades but has had trouble getting any real information. The police involved, both retired and active, have been giving her nothing but dead ends. At one point, Victoria asks to see a file regarding the case and she is told it is ‘missing’. She also asks for the autopsy report for Marsha’s case and is told she can only get it through the family, that the family needs to request it. The family meets with her and consents. After much time passes, Victoria sees the paperwork, and it stated ‘possible homicide’. After all of this searching, the suspicions are confirmed in the coroner’s report. The question is, why didn’t anybody follow up on it in 1992? Sadly, Victoria is pressured to move on by her supervisor. The case has been reopened and is being handled by the FBI.
Along with Marsha’s story, we learn a lot about Sylvia Rivera, a transgender woman, and Marsha’s best friend. Her story begins as someone who is a rebel, an activist, and a tough-talking firebrand. She was the organizer out of the two ladies. She had a very tough road, full of sadness and hardship. She does have a happy ending in the last part of her life. She died February 19, 2002.
With all the difficulty and sadness in the world, Marsha and Sylvia were rays of sunshine and full of life. I swear if I met Marsha in person, I think I would try to make her my best friend. She could be decked out in pink chiffon, flowers and pearls one moment, or wearing a mirrorball looking cap while singing terribly in another. Or, she could decide to not be in drag on a particular day, who knows. Whatever fit her mood. The spontaneous way she lived her life is something to aspire to. I only hope there is justice for her someday.
