The History of Marsha P. Johnson and What She's Done for the Queer Community

LGBTQ+ history is complex and full of queer icons worth remembering. But one name everyone should know is Marsha P. Johnson. Johnson was a transgender activist who played a pivotal role in the events that led to the gay rights movement.

Without her contributions, the queer movement may have looked very different.

Who Was Marsha P. Johnson?

Johnson was born male in New Jersey. She enjoyed wearing traditional feminine clothing at a young age. Johnson moved to New York City when she graduated high school and began dressing in women's clothing almost full time.

Back then, gay rights were severely limited. Marsha was part of a growing group of LGBTQ+ youth aiming to change that.

The Stonewall Riots

On June 28th, 1969, Marsha P. Johnson became the face of the queer rights movement. She was near the Stonewall Inn gay bar when police raided it and began arresting patrons for discriminatory laws.

The patrons of Stonewall finally had enough, and Johnson was on the front lines when they fought back. While there are many conflicting stories about what Johnson did, there's no denying that she played a big part in the riots. Along with other trans women, Johnson made their voices heard that night.

Queer Activism

After Stonewall, Johnson continued to push for change. She attended protests and sat in during meetings of the Gay Liberation Front.

However, Johnson wasn't happy with how transgender individuals weren't part of the larger conversation.

With another famous activist, Sylvia Rivera, Johnson started the Street Transvestite Activist Revolutionaries (STAR). The point of STAR was to give a home to trans people living on the streets.

While STAR struggled, the queer icons left a lasting impact and reminded people that transgender individuals deserved rights, too.

A Legacy That Carries On

Marsha P. Johnson's body was found in the Hudson River in 1992. Officials ruled it a suicide, but those who knew and loved her disagreed. Like many trans people of color, she was likely the target of a violent attack.

Johnson's death is still a mystery many decades later. But one thing is for sure: Her short time on this planet left an impact that continues to ripple today.

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The Difference Between Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation

We're lucky to live in a time when changing attitudes gives more people the opportunity to live their authentic selves. However, that doesn't mean that ignorance on gender identity and sexual orientation doesn't exist.

This blog will discuss the differences between gender identity and sexual orientation and why they matter.

What is Gender Identity?

"Gender Identity" is a term that's been around for a long time. But it can be a significant source of confusion for those who don't have much exposure to dating non binary people or even being around transgender colleagues.

Your gender identity is your innermost sense of self concerning gender. It's how you feel and perceive yourself. For some people, the person they see looking back in the mirror at them matches up with their gender identity. The term used to describe that is "cis-gendered."

However, the gender identity for other people might not match what they were assigned at birth. You might feel female, male, or a blend of the two!

Non-binary people are those who identify with neither male nor female identities. Thus, they fall outside of the gender binary.

What is Sexual Orientation?

Sexual orientation is a little different. It's about the type of person you are emotionally, physically, or sexually attracted to. There are many sexual orientations.

The most recognizable are straight, gay, and bisexual. However, that's just scratching the surface. We won't get into the details of sexual orientation here, but the most important thing to know is that it revolves around how you feel attraction.

Understanding the Differences

Gender identity is how you perceive yourself. Meanwhile, sexual orientation is who you are attracted to.

The best way to put it is this:

Sexuality is who you fall in love with, while gender identity is who you fall in love as.

People are significantly more open about their gender identities and sexual orientations these days. Whether you're looking to start dating non binary people or you want to explore your sexuality, there's no better time than now!

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Language Barriers in the Asian-American Community

Just like with other segments of the American population, Asian-Americans can be gay, lesbian, bi, trans, or any other type of sexual or gender identity. Unfortunately, many Asian-Americans find that they have a hard time talking with others in the Asian-American community about their experiences and feelings.

A big part of the problem is that traditional Asian languages don’t often lend themselves to conversations about LGBTQ issues. In some cases, words simply don’t exist for certain feelings or experiences. In other cases, existing words are offensive or derogatory in nature.

If you’re having a hard time breaking down communication barriers in the LGBTQ Asian dating sphere, below are some tips:

Work to Create and Embrace New Words

One way that members of the LGBTQ Asian dating community have tackled this issue is by creating new words using existing languages. For example, “transpinoy” has been embraced by the LGBTQ Filipino-American community as existing words are considered offensive.

By creating new words using existing Asian language, members of the LGBTQ Asian-American community have the chance to take control over how feelings and experiences are expressed.

Consider Avoiding Western Words

If you’re concerned about LGBTQ identity being connected to Western identity, you can also consider avoiding Western words when talking about LGBTQ issues. Once again, this may require some creativity, but the goal is to separate LGBTQ from Western identity as this can cause relatives and friends in the community to believe that you only feel the way that you do because of Western influence.

Not All Expression is Verbal

You’re also encouraged to keep in mind that not all expression needs to be verbal to get a point across. The LGBTQ community has used non-verbal forms of expression for hundreds of years if not longer to signal their identities.

While you’re discouraged from hiding your identity by using non-verbal forms of communication, these can be ways to overcome language barriers. This can be effective in the Asian-American LGBTQ community as well as in the global LGBTQ community as a whole.

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Russian Doll's Rebecca Henderson Loves Being the Lesbian Go-To After 40

“I just love playing lesbians,” says Russian Doll star Rebecca Henderson. Indeed, viewers surfing between Freeform and Netflix these days can easily find the Toronto native repping for queer women. She’s appeared in popular LGBTQ+ projects as far back as Desiree Akhavan’s 2014 feature Appropriate Behavior. But at 41, she’s hit her career stride, and she’s done it playing the kinds of roles she hopes will make an impact read more

How to Get Back in the Dating Scene as an Older Lesbian

Whether you're getting out of a long-term relationship or you came out later in life, there's no denying that dating as an older lesbian is tough. These days, attitudes are very different, and our reliance on technology changed the dating game.

No one blames you for being a little hesitant to dip your toes into the dating pool. But if you want to find happiness and pursue this crazy little thing called love, here are some tips to help you dive into lesbian senior dating.

Find Your Crew

One of the most important things you can do is find your posse. You need a support system around you, and there's no better way to build confidence than to have several friends in your corner. Try to find other lesbians who can help you navigate the dating scene.

They'll know all the hotspots in your town. Plus, they could introduce you to others looking for the same things you are.

Take Your Time

Getting back into dating can take some adjustments. It can be an emotional experience, and you're likely to encounter some setbacks.

Don't rush things. Take your time and go at your own pace. Even if it's just baby steps, the fact that you're putting yourself out there is a big deal!

Turn to Apps

Dating apps are one of the best ways to meet new people. You have plenty of options out there. Even lesbian senior dating apps exist. Take full advantage of them and find your perfect match!

Practice Vanity

You'd be surprised by how much of a difference a little self-indulgence can make. Don't be afraid to focus on your vanity. That doesn't mean you should change your appearance for others. This is all about you!

Make the changes you need to feel confident. When you feel beautiful, others will take notice.

Life Life Proudly

Last but not least, live your life as loud and proud as you want! We're in a brand-new era of queer living. Life's too short to live in fear or let others rain on your parade. It's your time! Have fun, see who's out there, and make connections to spread the love.

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Simple Ways to Shut Down Biphobia

Bisexuality is an often misunderstood, and less frequently talked about, sexuality. In this blog we’ll cover some ignorant things about bisexuals and bisexuality along with excellent comebacks for biphobic comments like those.

Statement: You're just not willing to admit you're gay.

Some people believe bisexuality is just a gateway to homosexuality, or a safer, more socially-acceptable alternative that shelters them from anti-gay harassment and discrimination. The only problem is, they get biphobic harassment and discrimination instead.

Comeback: You're just not willing to admit you're a homophobe.

If you're only bisexual because you're on your way to being a homosexual, than you could say your accuser is being biphobic on the way to being homophobic.

Statement: Does that mean you're attracted to everyone?

Some people think just because you're attracted to men and women, it means you're attracted to everyone. But that would be like saying that, just because someone is a straight male, they're attracted to all women.

Comeback: Well, I'm not attracted to you.

Often, what people are really asking with this question is whether you're attracted to them. Assure them you can set their mind at ease.

Another variation of this is the statement "Does this mean you want a threesome?" to which you could say, "Not if you're one of the other two." Just because you're into both men and women, it doesn't mean you want to be with both at the same time. That's not bisexuality, that's polyamory.

Statement: It's just a phase.

Gay people get the same blowback. Maybe it's because many people question their sexuality at some point in life, some in puberty, others after experimenting with LGBTQIA sex or romance in young adulthood, and come to a different conclusion. If it was a phase for them, it must be a phase for you, right?

Comeback: Hopefully your ignorance (or bigotry or biphobia) is just a phase.

Some things are phases, some things aren't. Hopefully a comment like this will help make that evident.

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The Importance of Safe Spaces for QPOC

Despite strides made over the years in LGBTQ rights and acceptance, harassment, discrimination and violence against LGBTQ people still occur. Moreover, queer people of color (QPOC) are still disproportionately among the victims of this activity. This is why having safe spaces like those found on black LGBTQ dating sites for QPOC is so important.

In 2018, the Human Rights Campaign reported, 26 transgender people were killed in hate crimes. Of these, the vast majority were trans black women.

Transgender women of color are also more likely to be harassed by strangers merely for their gender.

Combating Isolation

One outcropping of all this victimization is that it forces many QPOC back "into the closet" of seclusion and self-isolation. Safe spaces provide places where QPOC can step out from this isolation and find a much-needed sense of community, connection, empathy and support.

Moreover, many QPOC belong to multiple minority groups, making it even tougher to find others with similar lived experiences. In a safe space for QPOC, they can feel comfortable embracing all the different facets of their identity openly and honestly around others who empathize with their multiplicity of self.

Resource Sharing

Safe spaces for queer people of color can also be a powerful hub for resource sharing. People seeking resources for everything from mental health to domestic violence protection to elder care to housing can use these safe spaces as a place to find, provide and exchange this vital information.

Dating and More

Dating and romance can also be difficult to come by in the queer community, not to mention in the QPOC community. With queer identity still such a sensitive topic in many POC households and violence against queer people so disproportionately high in POC communities, it can be challenging for QPOC to enter the dating pool.

Whether it's in person or on POC and Black LGBTQ dating sites, a place where QPOC know they can feel comfortable being vulnerable without fear of judgment or retaliation is essential for finding a companion, partner or lover with whom they can share more time and closeness.

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