Marsha P. Johnson was a proud and outspoken member of the LGBTQ+ community before it was popular to be so. She was an advocate for drag queens, people of color, and transgender people, fighting for their right to be seen and heard.
Her activism led her to become one of the most influential figures in the gay liberation movement. Though her life was cut tragically short, Marsha's legacy remains an inspiration to us all.
The Best Marsha P. Johnson Quotes
Famous Quotes
“History isn’t something you look back at and say it was inevitable, it happens because people make decisions that are sometimes very impulsive and of the moment, but those moments are cumulative realities.”
— Marsha P. Johnson
“How many years has it taken people to realize that we are all brothers and sisters and human beings in the human race? I mean how many years does it take people to see that? We’re all in this rat race together!”
— Marsha P. Johnson
“I may be crazy, but that don’t make me wrong.”
— Marsha P. Johnson
“I don’t think you should be ashamed of anybody you know that has AIDS. You should stand as close to them as you can and help them out as much as you can. I’m a strong believer in that and that’s why I try to do that for everyone I know has the virus.”
— Marsha P. Johnson
On LGBTQ+ Rights
“You never completely have your rights, one person, until you all have your rights.”
— Marsha P. Johnson
“As long as gay people don’t have their rights all across America, there’s no reason for celebration.”
— Marsha P. Johnson
“Nobody promised you tomorrow.”
— Marsha P. Johnson
On Being a Drag Queen
“I was no one, nobody, from Nowheresville, until I became a drag queen.”
— Marsha P. Johnson
“I always just do drag. I never do it seriously.”
— Marsha P. Johnson
More Quotes
“We have to be visible. We should not be ashamed of who we are.”
— Marsha P. Johnson
“I’d like to see the gay revolution get started… If a transvestite doesn’t say I’m gay and I’m proud and I’m a transvestite, then nobody else is going to hop up there and say I’m gay and I’m proud — and I’m a transvestite for them.”
— Marsha P. Johnson
“Darling, I want my gay rights now!”
— Marsha P. Johnson
→ Looking for ideas on how you can celebrate Pride Month? Look no further than our guide.
→ Looking for more quotes? Explore our collection of the best LGBTQ+ Pride quotes.
