1. A quick recap… Can you remember what trans, cis and non-binary mean?
What is gender diversity?
What does ‘assigned male’ or ‘assigned female’ at birth mean?’

2. Introducing Marsha P Johnson

3. Who was Marsha P. Johnson?
Marsha became a very important person in the activist community in New York City.
She fought for the rights of people who were trans, as well as those who were descriminated against on the grounds of sexuality, race and poverty.
Marsha took part in lots of different types of activism throughout her life so we’re going to find out what Marsha did and why she was such an important person!
What does the word activist mean?

4. Marsha P Johnson was born on 24 August, 1945
Marsha P Johnson was born on 24 August, She was assigned male at birth.
At the age of 5 she started to wear dresses but the other children in her neighbourhood were very unkind to her.
How do you think she felt when this happened?
When she was older, she showed how she felt by changing her name from the one she was given at birth, to Marsha P. Johnson!
The ‘P’ stood for ‘Pay it no mind’, which was a phrase Marsha would say to herself when other people treated her badly. It means to ignore something / pay no attention to it
Why do you think Marsha changed her name?
We don’t know what words Marsha used to describe herself, but what words might she have used?

5. When Marsha left high school she moved to Greenwich Village in New York.
Why do you think Marsha moved away from her home town to a big city?
Living in New York was hard for Marsha who experienced times of unemployment and homelessness because of discrimination.
She was very recognisable with her unique jewellery and hats, which she made herself.
More importantly, she became very well known for being an activist and a very kind person!

6. What was New York like for Marsha when she lived there in the 1960s?
In the 1960s you were not allowed to wear clothes that didn’t match the gender you were assigned at birth.
Many people were sent to prison because of the homophobic and transphobic laws that existed at the time.
The Stonewall Inn, New York was somewhere where people who were gender diverse would meet.
However, many people were discriminated against by the police and were arrested for being there.
How do you think Marsha and her friends would have felt?
Why is it important that people be allowed to choose the clothes they wear?

7. What can happen when groups of people suffer unfair treatment?
On 28th June 1969, when the police tried to arrest people at the Stonewall Inn for the third night that week, a riot started.
People were angry at the way they were being treated. They wanted to be treated fairly.
That night, the people at the Stonewall Inn refused to give their names to the police, or follow the police orders.
People started fighting the police and many people got injured.

8. The Stonewall Riots (and other similar events happening at that time) showed people that it is ok to challenge unfair rules and laws.
TEACHERS NOTES: “Gay” for many years has been used as a catch all term for the LGBT community. However, as our understanding of different identities has increased, it becomes increasing important that we use inclusive language.
This gave many people, along with Marsha, the confidence to speak up and raise awareness of discrimination and inequalities faced by many people.

9. One year after the Stonewall Riots an event was organised on the street where the Stonewall Inn was.
It was called a “Pride” parade, and was an opportunity for the LGBT community to come together again, to continue their protest against the unfair treatment that was still happening.
Why do you think the protest event was called “Pride”?
Unfair laws for LGBT people existed in all parts of the world, but the news about the activism and protests happening in New York was starting to spread to other countries.
The UK had its first Pride parade event in 1972!

10. Now Pride events happen in many cities in the UK and around the world every year!
TEACHERS NOTES: “Gay” for many years has been used as a catch all term for the LGBT community. However, as our understanding of different identities has increased, it becomes increasing important that we use inclusive language.

11. A short time after the riots, Marsha created a charity called STAR with her friend Sylvia Rivera.
This charity offered help and support to young trans people who were homeless.
Why do you think many trans people found themselves living on the streets?
In 1972 Marsha and Sylvia founded STAR House.
This building was the first shelter for young trans people, which provided food, clothing, housing and advice.
Their charity work made a difference to thousands of young trans people’s lives.

12. Through out the 1970s, Marsha and Sylvia continued to be activists and were often seen campaigning for equal rights and taking part in protests against discrimination.
It is important to remember that many members of the LGBT community still face discrimination and inequality, both here and in other parts of the world.
Until her death on 6th July 1992, Marsha P Johnson continued to raise awareness for equal rights for everyone.

13. Imagine you are a journalist.
What interview questions would you ask Marsha if she were alive today?
And, what do you think her replies would be?

14. Reflection One thing you learnt from today’s session
One thing you enjoyed from today’s session
Any questions about what we have talked about?