The documentary The Death and Life of Marsha P Johnson, directed by David France, documents the search for justice for Johnson, a pioneer in the gay liberation movement of the 1970s, and her untimely death in 1992.
Her death was ruled a suicide by the police, but many in the LGBT community, including some of Johnson’s closest friends, are adamant that something more sinister took place.
The film documents the quest of Anti-Violence Project activist Victoria Cruz to find out the truth behind what happened to Johnson.
That quest does not come without its roadblocks, primarily from the NYPD not wanting to speak to Cruz about their investigation into Johnson’s death. But along the way she gathers a beautiful array of photographs, videos, and memories from those who knew and loved Johnson. These moments of the film showed that her life was full of light and beauty, even among persecution, ongoing tragedy, and death.
The lives of trans people seem to be shrouded in this similar space even 25 years later, one of harassment, abuse, and disregard about whether they live or die. As recently as early May a trans woman was found unconscious in Chelsea and later died after being beat up.
Since February at least seven transgender women have been killed. Marsha’s life was not the first, but also certainly not the last, to be taken.
The documentary weaves in the case of Islan Nettles and her brutal killing in 2013. Further proving that the matter of trans lives, and their validity, is still being discussed to this day.
Cruz is seeking justice and vindication not just for Johnson and her family but for the entirety of the LGBT community, marriage equality is not the finish line, especially for the trans community that still remains marginalized.
“They’re yelling out from their graves for justice,” Cruz said
Photo courtesy of Public Square Films
Odalis is a senior studying Journalism + Design at Lang and the social media manager of The New School Free Press. She spends time watching all of the TV shows and likes to yell about them to her friends, and occasionally writes about it. She is originally from Puerto Rico but calls Miami home (#Miss305) and is very passionate about Cuban food, empanadas, and the salsa dancing emoji.
