OVERVIEW
What a powerful and beautiful tribute to the pioneering Marsha P. (Pay It No Mind) Johnson! She was an incredible Black trans woman who was one of the rioters at the Stonewall Inn in 1969 and a leader of the LGBTQIA+ movement, specifically for the trans community.
I knew about Marsha, but now I know who she is inside and out! An amazing human who was taken from us too soon. As a straight, cis gender woman, I recommend everyone who wants to be more understanding and intersectional about the LGBTQIA+ community read this book.
This is not an easy or fun read, but it is an important book to read.
OVERALL REVIEW: 5.0 stars.
Writing: 4.5 stars
The writing was strong, but it was overly long and detailed at times. Some editing would have made this biography even stronger. However, I understand this because this is the first definitive and heavily researched memoir of Marsha's life and impact. This book is needed for historical purposes for the LGBTQIA+ generations to come.
Character development: 5.0 stars
The main character was Marsha P. Johnson. She was one of the most charismatic and intersectional leaders of the trans movement in New York City. The story is told from Marsha's childhood to identity discovery to death and legacy.
There were so many secondary characters in Marsha's life that are too numerous to mention (and I got lost at times, but that doesn't detract from the storytelling). The most important friend, however, was Sylvia Riviera, co-leader of the trans movement and STAR (Street Transvestites Action Revolutionaries), with Marsha.
The tertiary character is Christopher Street in New York City.
Storyline: 5.0 stars
The storyline is informative, painful, and heartbreaking. Marsha's life was not easy from beginning to end as she struggled with her physical and mental health as well as her sexual identity. She worked as a sex worker and actress to make ends meet while advocating for the LGBTQIA+ community, specifically her trans "girlies".
It was not an easy read, but it was an important story to understand the trans movement and to be intersectional. Unfortunately, there were difficult sections where Marsha was brutalized by "Johns", abused by the police, misdiagnosed by medical professionals, and denigrated by members of the LGBTQIA+ community and her family.
The locations were: Elizabeth, New Jersey; New York City; Los Angeles
Memorable/Informative: 5.0 stars
I knew about Stonewall, but didn't realize what a dump the bar actually was or the horrific police brutality. I now understand why this was the flashpoint in the LGBTQIA+ movement.
The issue for me is that nothing has changed! Marsha (and Sylvia) accomplished so much, but the trans movement is the "step sister" of the LGBTQIA+ movement, and this is so wrong. If we want true intersectionalism, all in this community must be respected and included.
Book cover: 5.0 stars
Stunningly gorgeous! Marsha in all of her glory!
Book title: 5.0 stars
Perfect!
HIGHLY recommend
NetGalley eARC/ebook
Marsha by Tourmaline
320 pages
Tiny Reparations Books
FUTURE release date: 5/20/2025
INFORMATIONAL LINKS
TRIGGER WARNING: Racism, sexism, transphobia, dead-naming, homophobia, gun violence, sexism, biphobia, police violence, murder, suicide, terminal illness
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
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