2012,
English,
Marsha P. Johnson,
USA,
Director: Michael Kasino
Release Year: 2012
Synopsis:
In the 2012 documentary Pay It No Mind: The Life and Times of Marsha P. Johnson, filmmaker Michael Kasino delves deep into the life and legacy of one of the most important and revolutionary figures in the LGBTQIA+ liberation movement—Marsha "Pay It No Mind" Johnson. Through Johnson's own words, archival footage, and interviews with a variety of friends, activists, and contemporaries, the film paints a vivid portrait of a trailblazer who lived unapologetically, championing the rights of trans and gender-nonconforming people while also challenging societal norms of sexuality, race, and gender.
Marsha P. Johnson was many things: a drag queen, sex worker, AIDS activist, model for Andy Warhol, and one of the instigators of the Stonewall Riots. She co-founded the radical activist group Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries (STAR) with her close friend Sylvia Rivera, providing a voice for homeless trans youth and advocating for the rights of those living on the margins of society. Through Pay It No Mind, Kasino brings Johnson's powerful story to life, honoring her contributions to the queer liberation movement while also exploring the challenges she faced in a world that often rejected her. Marsha P. Johnson was born Malcolm Michaels Jr. on August 24, 1945, in Elizabeth, New Jersey. Growing up in a strict Christian household with six siblings, Johnson's early experiences were marked by a sense of isolation and confusion about her identity. As a child, Johnson began wearing dresses at a young age but faced bullying and harassment for her gender nonconformity. Despite these early struggles, she left her home at 17 and moved to New York City in 1963 with only $15 and a bag of clothes.
It was in Greenwich Village, particularly on Christopher Street, that Johnson found her community and began to embrace her true self.
As a young person in New York, she began working as a drag queen and sex worker, using the name "Marsha P. Johnson"—a playful moniker that Johnson explained stood for "Pay It No Mind." She adopted this attitude as a form of defiance against society's constant questioning and scrutiny of her gender expression, responding with the phrase "Pay It No Mind" whenever she was confronted about her identity.
Johnson’s drag was not conventional. She rejected the notion of high drag or show drag, often opting for a more casual, glamorous look. She was known for her flowing robes, bright wigs, and the flower crowns she wore, often sourced from the flower district in Manhattan. Johnson’s style represented her fierce individuality and subversion of gender norms. But Johnson's role in New York's vibrant queer art and activism scene extended far beyond performance. She was also known for her street activism, where she fought for the rights of her fellow marginalized people, particularly trans women and queer youth.
One of the most iconic moments in Marsha P. Johnson's life came during the Stonewall Riots in 1969. The Stonewall Inn, a popular gay bar in New York City’s Greenwich Village, had long been a site of harassment and police raids. But on the night of June 28, 1969, after a particularly aggressive raid, the patrons of Stonewall fought back. The uprising is considered a seminal moment in the modern LGBTQIA+ rights movement.
Johnson’s role in the Stonewall Riots has been debated for years. While many contemporaries and activists, including historian David Carter, have suggested that Johnson was one of the key figures in the early moments of the riots, Johnson herself downplayed her involvement, saying she arrived at the scene after the riots had already started. However, she was reportedly seen throwing objects at the police and was among those leading the resistance in subsequent days. Johnson's involvement in Stonewall is more symbolic than definitive, but the legend of her participation persists because she embodied the defiance and spirit of the uprising.
In the documentary, various Stonewall veterans and activists, including Randy Wicker and Bob Kohler, recall their encounters with Johnson and emphasize her significance in the broader context of the queer liberation movement. Whether or not she threw the infamous brick at the police, Johnson’s presence at Stonewall is a testament to her role in pushing the boundaries of what it meant to be an activist for gay and trans rights.
STAR (Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries):
Following the Stonewall Uprising, Marsha P. Johnson became deeply involved in activism, co-founding the Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries (STAR) with Sylvia Rivera. STAR was a radical organization that sought to provide a safe space for homeless transgender individuals, sex workers, and those living on the fringes of society. STAR House, a shelter for homeless trans and queer youth, was one of the organization’s most important initiatives. It was a haven for those who, like Johnson herself, had been marginalized by mainstream LGBTQ organizations for their gender expression and sexuality.
STAR’s mission was to create a visible, unapologetic movement for transgender and gender-nonconforming people. The group staged protests, organized direct actions, and demanded recognition and rights for their community. STAR also gave rise to the concept of the "drag queen" as a radical, politicized identity—a move that was crucial in shaping the larger queer rights movement.
But the movement faced challenges both from within the LGBTQ+ community and from external forces. In Pay It No Mind, Sylvia Rivera, who was often at odds with the more mainstream parts of the LGBTQ+ rights movement, recalls how she and Johnson were excluded from the early Pride marches. In 1973, they were told they were not welcome to march in the Pride parade because their presence—drag queens and trans activists—was seen as a “bad image” for the movement. Undeterred, Johnson and Rivera marched ahead of the official parade, marking their defiance and commitment to trans and queer liberation.
Throughout her life, Marsha P. Johnson was known for her generosity, warmth, and commitment to her community. She was revered by many as a "saint" of the queer liberation movement—always welcoming and willing to help others. She became a mother figure to many of the young queer and trans individuals who found themselves on the streets of New York. Despite the struggles she faced in her own life, Johnson remained committed to improving the lives of those around her.
Yet, Johnson was not without her complexities. Friends and acquaintances describe her as having a volatile personality at times, especially during periods of stress. The documentary touches on these aspects of Johnson’s life, showing the depths of her emotional turmoil and the toll it took on her mental health. She had a complicated relationship with her gender identity, often switching between her persona as "Marsha" and her birth name "Malcolm." Friends recall that Johnson could at times be aggressive or violent, particularly when under the influence of alcohol or experiencing bouts of depression. However, these moments were often short-lived, and she was known to be deeply empathetic, particularly when helping others through difficult times.
In the 1980s, Johnson became a vocal advocate for those affected by the AIDS crisis. As an HIV-positive individual, she dedicated much of her time to supporting friends and loved ones who were sick, often participating in memorials and protests organized by ACT UP (AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power). Johnson’s activism during the AIDS epidemic—at a time when the queer community was being devastated by the disease—highlighted her unwavering commitment to fighting for the rights of marginalized people.
Marsha P. Johnson’s life was tragically cut short on July 6, 1992, when her body was found floating in the Hudson River. The New York City Police Department initially ruled her death a suicide, but many of Johnson's friends, including Sylvia Rivera and Randy Wicker, disagreed. They believed that Johnson had been murdered, possibly due to her outspoken activism or because of the many enemies she had made during her years of fighting for LGBTQ+ rights. In 2002, the case was reclassified as "undetermined," and it wasn’t until years later that a renewed investigation into her death gained traction. In 2012, the case was officially reopened as a possible homicide.
The circumstances surrounding Johnson's death remain shrouded in mystery, and Pay It No Mind does not shy away from questioning the official narrative. Interviews with those who knew Johnson well paint a portrait of a woman who was deeply committed to justice and was well aware of the dangers she faced. Her death remains an unsolved case, and her legacy as a warrior for trans rights continues to inspire countless activists to this day. Pay It No Mind: The Life and Times of Marsha P. Johnson is not just a documentary about a drag queen or a trans activist; it is a powerful testament to the courage and resilience of one woman who shaped the course of queer history. Through her words and actions, Marsha P. Johnson became a symbol of defiance, hope, and love for countless individuals across the world. Her contributions to the LGBTQIA+ community, particularly her activism for trans and gender-nonconforming people, laid the foundation for the fight for equality that continues today.
Marsha P. Johnson’s life was a testament to the power of "paying it no mind"—living unapologetically, refusing to conform, and always pushing for justice.
Image credits: YouTube
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