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.

So here's the tea, Marsha was a queen then and she remains a queen now.

I couldn't have been approved for this ARC at a more appropriate time to be honest. Written in an effort to remember that change can happen in every direction if were not vigilant to ourselves and our communities, Marsha is a reminder that just because you don't live in a movement, doesn't mean it's not happening.

To have a "moment in the day of" feel as I read through this account was refreshing and allowed for us as the reader to slide into an experience that, I'm of the belief, many don't have the opportunity to relate to before casting judgment. In this account, Marsha is real, her story is presented in a harsh contrast between the dichotomy of joy we feel to hold freedom to be ourselves, and the strife of oppressive movements that strive to be a thief to that joy. All while also maintaining a foot note lesson of how far we have come within socio political society and how far we have yet to go to provide the type of community we all deserve.

I imagine that once Marsha hits shelves the account will continue to remain an invaluable addition to remembering. This slice of history is unilaterally under documented to date, and consistently set aside, so page after page not only was I ready to hear it, but I was excited to see every powerful moment written with humility and confidence.

Tourmaline knew their task here and I applaud the effort.

5.0 stars
HIGHLY recommend

This is a beautiful memoir about the vivacious, inspirational, and LGBTQIA+ leader, Marsha P. Johnson. This memoir is written from Marsha's childhood to her unsolved death. Marsha was so instrumental in the beginning of the LGBTQIA+ movement at Stonewall. Marsha was so much to many who suffered so much due to the AIDS/HIV devastation, and even was a sufferer herself. But, though it all Marsha still persevered for those to follow and specifically her trans "girlies".

So much time and effort were put into this labor of love memoir. Tourmaline writes an incredible tribute to Marsha. This is a historical book for LGBTQIA+ generations and an educational book, period.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7198783314 - posted 4/18/2025
The StoryGraph: https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/966b866f-57b9-4276-8d89-41fe056848c2?redirect=true - posted 4/18/2025
booksbydorothea Blog: https://booksbydorothea.blogspot.com/2025/04/marsha-tourmaline-earcebook-overview.html - posted 4/18/2025

Marsha is the story of Marsha P. Johnson, a trailblazer in LGBTQIA+ history, as told by Tourmaline, a queer transgender woman, artist, writer, filmmaker, and activist.

Marsha chronicles the life of Marsha P. Johnson from her childhood in Elizabeth, New Jersey, her times as a Time Square Hustler, her involvement in the iconic Stonewall Riots, as an activist, a performer, an advocate and carer in the AIDS epidemic, though her untimely death. Marsha does not fixate or speculate on her cause of death, rather it celebrates her life and legacy.

Marsha is a must read. Tourmaline does an incredible job honoring Marsha. The story of Marsha P. Johnson & her pivotal role in the Stonewall Riot is especially relevant today, as the rights of trans people, the queer community, and marginalized groups are under fire today.

Thank god the revolution has begun, honey

A powerful, big-hearted look into the life of iconic trans artist and activist Marsha P. Johnson. Marsha's story intersects with so many important moments in queer rights history, but she was also a real person with her own strengths, shortcomings, found family, and traumas. This is a must-read biography for anyone interested in trans and queer history.

Marsha by Tourmaline was a well written biography about the life and impact of Marsha P. (pay it no mind) Johnson. I really liked the way the chapters were broken down. I thought the conversation around disability and mental health were well explored in the Stonewall and Passing the Jordan River Chapters. My only problem with this book was perpetuation of the idea that Marsha threw the first brick at Stonewall and the decision to include her deadname which I am still undecided about my feels around.

Thank you the the author, Tourmaline, Tiny Reparations Books and NetGalley for the eARC!

The author adeptly explored the life of Marsha in this new biography. Marsha is known for being the spark of the modern LGBTQIA+ movement yet many people do not know her story. In this biography all facets of Marsha’s life are woven together to show a whole picture of who Marsha was and how despite all the hardships she faced she remained joyful and authentically herself.

I really appreciated how this biography was broken down into the many tools Marsha played in the different phases of her life. This is a must read.

“Honey, I don’t care if I never have nothing until the day I die, all I want is my freedom.”

This book made me burst into tears at the end and for me that doesn’t happen often. Marsha P. Johnson is a figure I knew bits and pieces about through documentaries and other media, but this is such a definitive, stunning biography about her life.

Marsha was a force. She was an activist before she knew it, being an integral part of the Stonewall riots that forced the LGBTQ+ community to the forefront of the culture at the time. But as important as she was, transgender people were being shunned from other gay and lesbian protests and groups. She was largely erased from the history and this book does an incredible job reminding everyone of how important she was.

It’s so amazing to read about her caring nature and how she took it upon herself to care for other queens and trans people. She was honest about her life, though it was still full of trauma. There are these amazing stories about her giving others her last dollars or making sure people in her community were fed or giving them her clothes. She took care of friends with AIDS back in a time where it wasn’t acknowledged by the government and hospitals didn’t want to offer any help. She was selfless and it shines in the stories told about her.

The chapter about her death is what made me emotional. People held her in such high regard and the words that were spoken about her were truly beautiful. It’s such a testament to her memory and everything she did in her life. I hope this book makes more people familiar with her and her impact of the LGBTQ+ community that still resonates today.

Just all the stars.

This book is a powerful and poetic tribute to Marsha P. Johnson, capturing her resilience, activism, and unwavering joy despite the hardships she faced. More than just a historical figure, Marsha comes to life as a complex, deeply spiritual, and compassionate woman who cared for her community even when she had so little herself.

The author does a brilliant job of reclaiming Marsha’s legacy beyond the tragedy of her untimely death, instead centering her as a visionary who dreamed of liberation. The book blends history with imagination, providing a rich portrayal of Marsha’s world—her struggles, her impact on the LGBTQ+ movement, and the wider queer history that shaped and was shaped by her.

Heartbreaking yet inspiring, this is an essential read for those wanting to learn about trans history, the AIDS crisis, and the fight for LGBTQ+ rights. Marsha’s story is one that should be remembered, now more than ever.

A poetic, visually rich tribute to Marsha P. Johnson, celebrating her joy, resilience, and activism. Blending history with imagination, the book reclaims Marsha’s legacy through vibrant & heartbreaking storytelling. Tourmaline captures her spirit beyond tragedy, centering her as a visionary who dreamed of liberation.

It’s a powerful reminder of Black trans joy, survival, and the importance of collective care - and lord knows we need it.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

What a delight of a read. Masha paints a complex, compassionate, realistic, joyful and impactful picture of Marsha P. Johnson and all she did to contribute to LGBTQIA+ history. Each chapter was divided into a different facet of Marsha’s life and helped visualize the incredible woman she was.
Tourmaline crafts this biography with so much love and care while highlighting the impact Marsha has on her own life. From Marsha's childhood to Stonewall to activism to legacy, each chapter combines history with interviews to craft an engrossing picture. The cover perfectly exemplifies everything you will find in this book: joy, defiance, and love.

The author brilliantly illustrated the legacy of Marsha P. Johnson. Marsha was an extraordinary figure in the LGBTQIA+ rights movement, and this book effectively highlights her impact and lasting influence. Marsha was a legendary activist, and her story inspires us to embrace our true selves and live authentically.

It's been a while since a book made me cry this hard. I had to use, like, five tissues, but, to be honest, it should've been a lot more.

Anyway, I'm firmly taking the stance that this book is the autobiography of the year and everyone needs to read it.

Like many, I became of Marsha at some point in the last few years but never knew anything about her other than she was one of the heads of the LGBTQ+ movement through the Stonewall riots and the mysterious circumstances surrounding her death. This book truly showed me she was so much more than that. She was a mother figure who took in and cared for other trans people, she was a force of nature on and off the stage, she was a deeply spiritual person who prayed for her deceased loved ones to become flowers so they'd live forever inside her (That really got me. Even now the tears threaten to come back.), Marsha was a whole person who was beloved, complex, and wholly human. Tourmaline really brought this queen's personality to life through her writing.

I also loved the wider queer history included, as well as learning about other major trans women such as Sylvia Rivera, Miss Major, Mary Jones, etc. Tourmaline painted such vivid pictures of the state of the world around Marsha. From the heavy discrimination and brutality from the police to the exclusion from gay/lesbian spaces despite having propelled the movement to the height of the AIDS/HIV crisis, having history culminated through Marsha's life felt more personable and real than anything I've read before.

All in all, I absolutely love this book. This book couldn't have come at a more perfect time, when we need stories such as Marsha's told more than ever. This book will definitely will be sticking with me for a long time.

Marsha: The Joy and Defiance of Marsha P Johnson is a biography of Marsha P Johnson.

I LOVED THIS!!! One of my majors in college was Gender, Security, and Women's Studies. In that major, I learned a lot about Marsha P Johnson. If you know nothing about Marsha P Johnson, I highly suggest reading this. If you do know about Marsha P Johnson, I also suggest reading this. Reading this made me learn even more about what a bad ass she was. This book also focused a lot on queer history which I also loved because my other major in college was History. (Side note: I chose majors that required a lot of reading...because of course I did!) This book didn't read like a biography at all. This book was super interesting, and I did not want to put it down! Anyway, read this book. I will be thinking about this one for a long time. Also, can we talk about how stunning Marsha P Johnson is and how pretty this cover is!

Thank you, Tiny Reparations Books and netgalley for the ARC of this book.

“Marsha” gives a glimpse into the establishment of activist, community builder, and icon that Marsha P. Johnson was for the LGBTQIA+ community and beyond. Starting off, we meet Marsha in her hometown of Elizabeth, New Jersey. From there, Tourmaline follows the love, heartbreak, and truly passionate journey Marsha takes to pave the way for progress, what she must endure, and the joy she overwhelmingly spreads to the people and communities around her. I enjoyed learning more about Sylvia and the creation of STAR, known as Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries, and the STAR house — a place for young queens and other LGBTQIA+ youth to gather and find community. Marsha finding her “refuge and passion” on the dance floor in Greenwich Village is something we certainly still celebrate today (pg. 60). In doing finding that refuge, she began not only paving her own way in the ballroom scene, but finding the courage to pave one for those that followed her. I also highly enjoyed the cultural history provided in this book, about the time period that Marsha and her cohort functioned in, as it contextualizes the difficulty of their struggle. An idea explored throughout this book is that of radical care and love for friends and family being a revolutionary act — I don’t think that this could have come at a better time. Radical joy is an act of resistance, and it bears reminding ourselves of that as well. As Marsha would say, she crossed the River Jordan, as an activist, a sister, a mother in many ways, and a trailblazer. This book was a love letter to her & the LGBTQIA+ community and its elders. It is a reminder that we are multifaceted; we are beautiful, we deserve joy, and we radiate love. Thank you so much for early access to this incredibly important book!

Favorite & Most Illustrative Quote, pg. 125: “Marsha wove together activism and performance into a fabric that was a confluence of social movements: the downtown art scene, antiwar activism, Black power, and gay liberation.”