Black transgender luminary Tourmaline brings to life the first definitive biography of the revolutionary activist Marsha P. Johnson, one of the most important and remarkable figures in LGBTQIA+ history, revealing her story, her impact, and her legacy.
“Thank god the revolution has begun, honey.” Rumor has it that after Marsha P. Johnson threw the first brick in the 1969 Stonewall Uprising, she picked up a shard of broken mirror to fix her makeup. Marsha, a legendary Black transgender activist, embodied both the beauty and the struggle of the early gay rights movement. Her work sparked the progress we see today, yet there has never been a definitive record of her life. Until now.
Written with sparkling prose, Tourmaline’s richly researched biography Marsha finally brings this iconic figure to life, in full color. We vividly meet Marsha as both an activist and artist: She performed with RuPaul and with the internationally renowned drag troupe The Hot Peaches. She was a muse to countless artists from Andy Warhol to the band Earth, Wind & Fire. And she continues to inspire people today.
Marsha didn’t wait to be freed; she declared herself free and told the world to catch up. Her story promises to inspire readers to live as their most liberated, unruly, vibrant, and whole selves.
“Illuminating… a poignant portrait of a figure whose “greater sense of freedom” still inspires.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review
“A well-researched biography… a warm homage to a pioneering artist.” —Kirkus
“This long-overdue biography of Marsha P. Johnson is a revelation! With meticulous research and a tender touch, Tourmaline brings this groundbreaking activist to life, revealing her brilliance, her humor, and her unwavering dedication to freedom and our collective humanity. We learn not only of Marsha’s pivotal role in the Stonewall Uprising, but also of the depth of her love for her chosen family and community, her fierce advocacy for Black trans lives, and the enduring power of her artistic spirit. This literary tribute, adorned in garlands and glitter, is a must-read for anyone seeking to understand the true cost and the enduring legacy of an LGBTQIA+ icon’s fight for liberation.” —Janet Mock, author of Redefining Realness
“The depth of Tourmaline’s storytelling is historic, an enduring and urgent reminder from Marsha P. Johnson that history is not inevitable, it is made.” —Meena Harris, author of Ambitious Girl
“Finally! A full-fledged biography of trans icon Marsha P. Johnson that fleshes out the substance of a remarkable life too often reduced to a glib name-check. Tourmaline delivers the goods with a verve that will help all of us all pay Marsha some mind.” —Susan Stryker, author of Transgender History
“Loving, beautiful, and honest, Marsha tells a story of jubilation fighting darkness, while revealing a vast world of queer, trans life that has always been there for those willing to see.” —Robin D. G. Kelley, author of Thelonious Monk and Freedom Dreams
“Tourmaline’s Marsha is a book that’s teeming with life as much as heart. From Tourmaline’s prose, readers will see and understand Marsha as the human being behind all of her myths, someone flawed yet ambitious and headstrong. A page-turner with vibrant characters, dialogue, and most of all, crucial history.” —Morgan Jerkins, author of This Will Be My Undoing
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