Marsha should be required reading for anyone within the LGBTQIA+ community or anyone who says they’re an ally of the community. Tourmaline wrote about Marsha’s iconic and tragic life with such care and respect. I learned so much about Marsha, her life beyond the Stonewall Riots, and the lasting impact she’s had on the queer community. This book made me look at pride month completely different, and although I’ve learned about the AIDS crisis, Marsha shined even more light on the injustices dealt to queer and marginalized people by the government’s inaction.

A name I had heard, but a person I knew very little about until this book. Tourmaline provides insight to the life, heart, spirit and love of Marsha P. Johnson. Marhsa was so much more than a black trans woman, she was a mother to the girlies, a nurse for ailing friends, an activist, a performer, a once-in-a -lifetime kind of person. But in this telling of Marsha's life you also receive a look the early gay rights movement, at black history, and the intersection of being black, trans, and a sex worker. Some may have called Marsha a sinner, but through her short life she more than earned the moniker of Saint Marsha.

Hope and heartbreak. A thorough dedication to honor the life and legacy of Marsha. One of the parts that stuck with me the most was how caregiving within the AIDS/HIV community became a form of activism, which I think it’s a great way (but definitely not limited to) to sum up Marsha as a person and the impact she had on those she cared for.

Thank you to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Dutton | Tiny Reparations Books for the eARC of this book.

I DNF'd this book at about 25%. I didn't care for the writing style, it was almost too detailed in places I didn't think it needed detail. And then glossed over much I was curious about.

Really appreciate such an intimate perspective of this icon. I learned a lot about her life and hope that more folks read this book. It was also great to have multiple perspectives included about Marsha’s life.

Marsha: The Joy and Defiance of Marsha P. Johnson provides a complex look at the different aspects of the life of Marsha P. Johnson, and is an invaluable text, especially for the younger generations that may be less familiar with her contributions to LGBTQ+ rights.

This book does not reduce the life of Marsha P. Johnson to a few of her most notable accomplishments, instead creating sections which each focus on areas in which she was beloved and prolific, and makes note of her many long-standing impacts on them.

The tone of the book, despite it being incredibly informative, is so deeply personal that it almost feels more like sharing stories with an old friend than reading a biography, and it makes it so compelling that it’s near impossible to put down.

Many people know bits and pieces of Marsha P. Johnson’s story, but it has never been told like this. With unflinching clarity and visually rich storytelling, Tourmaline takes us on a breathtaking journey through Marsha P. Johnson’s short but impactful life. Marsha was a Black trans woman and trailblazing activist in the gay rights movement, widely known for her prominent role in the 1969 Stonewall Uprising. I previously knew a little about her, but it felt like Tourmaline’s book turned my vision from grayscale to color. I was transported through what felt like every emotion: from overwhelming heartbreak, sadness, and anger to pure joy, exhilaration, and gratitude. It is clear this is a heavily researched biography, however it never once felt dense or monotonous.

Right off the bat, I greatly appreciated that this book was not centered around Marsha’s suspicious and untimely death. Most of what I have seen and read revolves around that, leaving her incredible life as an afterthought. Tourmaline instead flips the script, focusing on Marsha’s life and celebrating Black trans joy. The chapter that did discuss her death had me in tears, as it is made abundantly clear how loved and respected Marsha was.

Marsha is *the* definitive testament and tribute to Marsha P. Johnson’s memory, and its content is just as beautiful as its cover. It’s also an exceptionally urgent and timely book during a period of horrifying anti-trans rhetoric and legislation in the United States.

Thank you, Tourmaline, for helping Marsha P. Johnson take center stage again! You really did her justice. Everyone should read this book.

Big thanks to NetGalley and Dutton Books for the gifted eARC!

A wonderful insight into the life and legacy of Marsha P. Johnson, from her early years to life in the city, stonewall & her caring for the people around her who suffered from AIDS.

The book gives a well rounded and complete picture on who she was as a person and as symbol for the lgbtq+ community. The highs, the lows of her life & the legacy she has left behind. She is such an influential person even in death.

As someone with a degree in U.S History, these are the types of stories we did not study and were not often discussed which make them that more important to be read and shared.

A massive thank you to Penguin Group Dutton, Tiny Reparations Books & Net Galley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review

MANY thanks to the author Tourmaline and Tiny Reparations Books/Penguin Random House for providing an e-ARC via NetGalley.

This book is more than a biography. It is an honoring, a revelation and a devotion.

"As we reconstruct her roles in moments of pivotal history, it is alright— beautiful , even—to allow for a variety of narratives to emerge, like different varieties of the same type of flower-a prickly wild rose, a field rose, a cabbage rose, a memorial rose... Let the seeds emerge, bloom, disperse."

Tourmaline handles the yoked truths of Marsha P. Johnson, those who knew, worked alongside and loved her with utmost care and reverence. She paints a panoramic and vivid picture of Marsha, the history and personal experiences that made her and what her own life brought to BIPOC, Queer and Trans peers and descendants. MARSHA demystifies her life while holding her as activist, artist, human and divine.

As the title promises and without shying away from the harsh realities of her life, Tourmaline succeeds at showing both the defiance and joy Marsha wielded that continue to reshape the world. These pages glitter and bloom with her vision, activism, faith, heart and life.

“It is a gift to see the world through Marsha's eyes. In order to change the harshest conditions-to survive in a world not designed for your survival; to believe in your dignity amid constant disempowerment, violence, and loss-you have to be able to see beyond what is right in front of you. Instead, you need to see into what is possible: what might have been, what could be, what will be.”

We are forever grateful for this gift. We continue to honor your legacy, Saint Marsha "Pay It No Mind" Johnson.

As the first comprehensive biography of Marsha P. Johnson, the legendary Black transgender activist who played a pivotal role in the 1969 Stonewall Uprising, this book offers an in-depth look into her life. Beyond the famous rumor of her throwing the first brick at Stonewall, Tourmaline paints a vibrant portrait of Marsha as both a tireless activist and a captivating individual. Declaring her own freedom, Marsha's inspiring story encourages readers to embrace their most authentic and liberated selves.

Incredible. No notes. I loved this look into Marsha's life. Tourmaline clearly did her research, and did not use this biography as a way to sensationalize and speculate about Marsha's death, but rather a way to celebrate her life. I consider myself a pretty aware and educated person when it comes to Queer history, but I found myself learning new things about Marsha way beyond what I had understood before. The joy and power that Marsha found by living authentically, made her such an important activist. And while she had to spend her entire life resisting, she never let the adversity slow her down. Her identity as a Black trans woman plays an integral part of her story. She was a powerhouse of a human, that has done so much for Queer liberation. This book serves as a reminder for where we came from, how we got here, and how we can never give up the fight.

I can't get enough of our foremother Marsha, the woman who fought for a future she never got to see.

In this biography, Tourmaline isn't afraid to get to the darker, dirtier corners of Marsha's past. But they don't admonish or shame the actions of Marsha and the other girlies, but instead shine a loving light on the hardship of queens and transfolks of our past. From her childhood to her death, this highlights stories told by those who knew and loved Marsha just as she was.

I give this a 4.5 instead of a 5 because I think, as a biography, it should be a bit more polished. Tourmaline did an excellent job at their research, though.

Okay, so total outlier here on my feelings and review. Oh how excited I was to read a biography of Marsha Pay-It-No-Mind Johnson! But this was way too broad of a brushstroke story for me. I ended up feeling like there wasn't enough information about Marsha to complete the book and filler had to be added. This book was as much the history of the LGBTQ community, other members of the community, and the author themself as much as it was about Marsha. And, yes, I understand that some of that needed to be included, but at a certain point it feels like padding. I wanted Marsha, Marsha, Marsha! In that loss I was disappointed. But if you want a look at the early Pride movement, with a focus on one of its brightest stars, then you will appreciate this book.

What a fascinating read!

Over the years, I've heard of Marsha P. Johnson, typically about the Stonewall Riot that galvanized the fight for LGBTQIA+ rights.

This biography dives into her origin story-- the journey that shaped her into who she became, and the impact that infamous night at Stonewall had on her life.

I loved learning more about such an important figure in American history. I also enjoyed how the author tied in interviews with people who may have seen the same situation from a different point of view than Marsha's to help show her mindset in life- how she took on issues or people standing in her way.

The author also takes a realistic look at Marsha and her life; there is no smoothing of rough edges-- in part to show the real person and in part to show how her experiences shaped her as a person.

Definitely worth a read!

Review posted to StoryGraph and Goodreads on 5/9/25. Review will be posted to Amazon on release date.

In a time where politicians and Christian nationalist are doing everything in their power to erase trans folks, this book is so very needed and powerful. Marsha P. Johnson’s life and activism remind us that there is so much beauty and need to love each other and care for each other. Tourmaline has written a moving and vibrant biography that brings Marsha back to us in this present time. The level of research and care that have gone into this project is obvious. I previously felt like I had a good grasp on who Marsha P. Johnson was and didn’t know what to expect when reading this book. I was blown away by all the details and insight from folks from Marsha’s life that were sprinkled throughout that made Marsha feel real and like she was here during this read. This is a book that I will be sharing with folks in my life. It was moving, beautiful, and sparkled just like Marsha P. Johnson.

This was a wonderful and intimate exploration of the life and legacy of Marsha P. Johnson. Existing in the queer community, I have heard endless praises for the elders that put their safety at risk to fight the ongoing revolution. So of course I have heard of Marsha. but now I feel like I truly have a better grasp of not only the unfathomable dedication she had to her cause but also who she was as a person. The author Tourmaline did a great job creating the sections in which Marsha's story was told. I felt like this could be a book I could reference in the future without fully rereading and still get the messages of Marsha's life that Tourmaline wanted to convey in each section. I absolutely highlighted the hell out of this book, by the way!

I loved seeing little bits of the story of the Queer Liberation movement that picked up steam in the late 60s that I have heard in passing or in queer spaces be contextualized through Marsha's story. On top of that, we got to hear from people who loved and lived with Marsha. It was interesting to recognize various names (shoutout RuPaul, Miss Major, Sylvia Rivera, etc.) and to hear about events and circumstances I have read about in detail through Marsha's personal story.

As we get closer to Pride month this year, I have never been more certain that we must embrace the intentions of Pride from the beginning of its inception. Marsha and her friends were revolutionaries, heroes, and protesters. Pride is a protest and it must be that this year more than ever. It was heart breaking to see how much has and has not changed in the fight for Queer and Trans Liberation. But I am so happy this book reminded me that joy and defiance are key.

I really enjoyed this book!

It details Marsha's life and legacy in just a few chapters but it certainly packs a punch.
I had no clue about a majority of the information on Marsha and her family/friends so it was wonderful to learn all of this.

There’s a deep care in how Tourmaline captures Marsha not only as an activist and community leader, but also as a sister, daughter, friend, wife, dog mom, neighbor, babysitter, culture and fashion icon, performer, singer, actress, and designer. I learned so much about her from this book that I didn’t know before! She’s captured here as a dynamic and multifaceted being contextualized within a thankless movement rife with racism and transphobia, contrasting the diluted inspirational representations we often see in mainstream white neoliberal narratives now. Equally important to understanding Marsha’s legacy are her experiences as a victim of state violence and systemic poverty, a street-based sex worker, someone living with disability and mental illness, and an AIDS care worker watching her community die. Cameos from peers like Sylvia Rivera, Miss Major, and Randy Wicker further demonstrate the depth of her love for community and the reach of her relentless light. I think this is a must-read!

Tourmaline beautifully writes about the life of Marsha P. Johnson, activist, friend, caregiver, and champion for gay rights. This is a wonderful addition to the LGBTQIA+ canon and a must read for everyone, whether or not they are familiar with Marsha's (ongoing) legacy.

**Thank you Net Galley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.**

It's very rare I can picture whatever I am reading, but Tourmaline does a great job making you feel as if you are right there with Marsha and the other queens.

Tourmaline’s biography of Marsha P. Johnson is excellently researched and clearly a labor of love. The book can be read either chronologically or through Marsha’s different lenses, whether as a care giver, an activist, an artist, and so forth. That makes the book appealing, as people can decide which experience they need at the time of reading. I also found that Tourmaline’s writing overall breathed life into Marsha (if I may be so informal). It was at times personal, at times analytical, but always honest and endearing.

Most importantly, it was informative. While I was familiar with some aspects of Marsha’s work, this book helped me know that her identities intersected in ways I never knew (e.g., neurodiverse, disabled) in addition to those I did (e.g., trans, Black). It helped personalize important historical events and the culture around them. The depiction of trans-exclusionist views and how they affected the queer community then (as, unfortunately, now) and the joy to be found in bars and with drag groups in which Marsha performed were both equally well-rendered, which I think is no small feat.

Books like these that preserve queer history and the people that made it are always important, but Tourmaline’s work being released during a time where anti-trans rhetoric and policies are prevalent made this particularly poignant for me. It awakens my anger once again at the removing of the trans involvement with Stonewall from the National Park Service. It also reminds me that small measures, care work, and never giving up in the face of adversity CAN make a difference. If Marsha and her contemporaries did it, we can do it. It may be hard, and it may hurt, but we can do it.