marsha p. johnson (august 24, 1945 – july 6, 1992) was an american gay and transgender rights activist. they are best known for participating in the stonewall riots in 1969. a founding member of the gay liberation front, johnson co-founded the advocacy group s.t.a.r. (street transvestite action revolutionaries), alongside their friend sylvia rivera. from 1987 through 1992, johnson was an aids activist with act up.