New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced yesterday that the “East River State Park” will be called “Marsha P. Johnson State Park” in the future. This is a great posthumous honor for the black trans* activist – never before has a “State Park” been named after a queer person in the US. The park will also serve the purpose of education and visibility with various buildings, additions and art installations.

Yesterday would have been Marsha P. Johnsons 75th birthday. Andrew Cuomo used this special day to share the big news. He twittered that he was proud to announce the dedication of the park. New York owes Johnson a debt of gratitude for her courageous advocacy and relentless fight for LGBT+ equality.

There was a detailed statement on the New York State website. There Cuomo said:

“Marsha P. Johnson was one of the early leaders of the LGBTQ movement, and is only now getting the acknowledgement she deserves. Dedicating this state park to her, and installing public art telling her story, will ensure her memory and her work fighting for equality lives on.”

Marsha P. Johnson was a key figure in New York City’s underground queer activism. At the age of only 23, the sex worker was one of the activists* who triggered the Stonewall Riots after the police raid in 1969. She also founded the Gay Liberation Front and, with her group STAR, she supported homeless queer youths and, in Act-Up, AIDS patients. Until her death at the age of 46, she demanded changes for the disastrous situation of black trans women in the USA. On July 6, 1992 she was found dead in the Hudson River – her death has not been cleared up until today.

Large mural planned to honor Marsha

It is much more than just a name: The park is supposed to provide queer visibility. According to Cuomo, the largest investments since the park was opened will be made to set up various art installations as monuments. In addition, the park’s infrastructure will be improved and a new educational building will be erected, whose walls will also be reminiscent of Johnson. The renovation works are scheduled to be completed in summer 2021.

Among other things, the state plans to erect a large floor mural over one part of the park – with a picture of Johnson holding a megaphone. In addition, a Trans-Pride flag, rainbow colors and flowers – a kind of Johnson’s distinctive mark. This is also explained in the statement:

“Known for adorning herself with colorful flowers, the design reflects Marsha’s style and colors.”

The first additions in honor of the activist have already been made: a decorative screen on the fence honors Marsha P. Johnson at two prominent locations, including the main gate of the park. In addition, signs have already been installed to honor and explain Marsha’s life and her role in promoting queer rights and treating people with HIV/AIDS.

In the US, a State Park is a protected area of nature or historical monuments, which, unlike national parks, covers a much smaller area and is used for recreation. The 7-hectare Marsha P. Johnson Park in Brooklyn is located directly on the waterfront and offers an iconic view of the Manhattan skyline. It is one of eight state parks in New York.

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