Check out more of our interview with Kay.

The activists named in this interview:

Sylvia Rivera - Sylvia Rivera was a Stonewall Veteran and activist, who fought tirelessly for the rights of trans people, people of color, low-income and homeless members of the lgbtq+ community, all groups who were purposely pushed out of early gay rights organizing. She helped found STAR - an effort to help house homeless trans people. Learn more about Sylvia here, here and here. 

Storme DeLarverie  - Storme was a Stonewall veteran and activist and rumored to be the person to throw the first punch and actually ignite the riots. As Kay mentions, she was most known for her community policing - walking along in the village making sure no one harassed members of the community. Learn more about Storme here, here and here.

Marsha P. Johnson - Marsha “Pay It No Mind” Johnson was a Stonewall veteran, an activist and performer. Along with Sylvia Rivera, she helped found STAR - an effort to help house homeless trans people - and was prominently involved in AIDS activism in the 80’s. She’s also credited with helping to ignite the Stonewall Riots. Learn more about Marsha, here, here and here. 

Tourmaline - Tourmaline is an activist and filmmaker, most known for her film “Happy Birthday, Marsha!,” which follows a fictionalized version of Marsha P. Johnson’s life, just hours before the Stonewall Riots took place. Tourmaline is also a model and a scholar. Learn more about Tourmaline and “Happy Birthday, Marsha!” here, here and here.