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News

This State Park Was Renamed to Honor Trans Activist Marsha P. Johnson

The name change "honors the transgender woman of color" who paved the way for LGBTQ+ rights.

Taylor Henderson

Taylor Henderson is a PRIDE.com contributor. This proud Texas Bama studied Media Production/Studies and Sociology at The University of Texas at Austin, where he developed his passions for pop culture, writing, and videography. He's absolutely obsessed with Beyoncé, mangoes, and cheesy YA novels that allow him to vicariously experience the teen years he spent in the closet. He's also writing one!

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Taylor Henderson

cornbreadsays

August 25 2020 7:30 PM EST

May 31 2023 3:01 PM EST

On what would've been her 75th birthday, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo honored LGBTQ+ trailblazer Marsha P. Johnson by renaming a state park after her.

“Today, Marsha P. Johnson State Park becomes the first State Park to honor an LGBTQ person,” Cuomo announced yesterday on Twitter. "NY is indebted to her for her brave advocacy and relentless fight for LGBTQ equality.”

\u201cI'm proud to announce the dedication of East River State Park in Brooklyn to #MarshaPJohnson.\n\nToday, Marsha P. Johnson State Park becomes the first State Park to honor an LGBTQ person.\n\nNY is indebted to her for her brave advocacy and relentless fight for LGBTQ equality.\u201d
— Archive: Governor Andrew Cuomo (@Archive: Governor Andrew Cuomo) 1598299562

Johnson played a big part in the Stonewall Uprising and was an early advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. As Cuomo notes, this is the first state park to be named after an openly LGBTQ+ person.

“The Marsha P. Johnson State Park honors the transgender woman of color, who led the fight for equal rights and justice for all,” Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul said in a statement.

The Marsha P. Johnson State Park was previously East River State Park in Williamsburg. According to Out, "the park’s name was changed earlier this year in February" and "extensive plans are underway for improvements to basic infrastructure such as restrooms and replacing crumbling sections of cement. Also included are new designs to highlight the contributions of Johnson to the movement, as well as providing a place for displays of public art and festivals. Plans currently call for a new education center, the addition of two long parallel walls for artwork and interpretive elements celebrating Johnson’s life, and decorative embellishments to current facilities."