Marsha: The Joy and Defiance of Marsha P Johnson

It’s rumored that after throwing the first brick in the 1969 Stonewall Uprising, Marsha Johnson fixed her makeup with a broken mirror. This embodies the beauty and violence of the early LGBTQ+ rights movement and Marsha’s fabulous charisma. Despite her contributions to gay liberation activism and drag, there’s been no definitive record of her life, loves, and lessons. Here, author Tourmaline brings to life the story of the revolutionary activist. 

Through nearly two decades of research, Tourmaline became Marsha’s leading archivist. The book takes readers through Marsha’s childhood in New Jersey in the 1950s, her activism from Stonewall to the AIDS crisis, and her creation of radical art. She was an artist, performer, lover, mentor, and mischievous queen. Her larger-than-life presence leaps from every page. Her story will inspire readers to live as their most liberated selves.