Miss Major Griffin-Gacy has been fighting for transgender rights for over 40 years. Today at the age of 75, she continues to be on the front lines fighting for equality and respect.
Miss Major was born in Chicago on October 25, 1940. She was born a male, but came out as a teenager in the 1950’s.
Despite the anger and bigotry she has faced throughout the years, she has remained a full-time activist and spokesperson for the transgender community.
The fight for transgender rights truly began in 1969 at the Stonewall Riots. The Stonewall Rebellion was a series of demonstrations against a police raid that took place on June 28, 1969, at the Stonewall Inn in Manhattan.
Miss Major was a transgender leader during these riots. She was struck in the head by an officer and arrested.
During her time in prison, a police officer broke her jaw. Neither jail nor abuse could keep her from being a voice and role model for the transgender cause.
Besides being an activist, Miss Major is a former sex worker, prison abolitionist, former prison inmate, and mother figure to her transgender family around the globe.
Today she is a respected community elder that is credited with saving countless lives and paving the way for the modern day LGBT national fight for rights.
Currently, Miss Major is the Executive Director of the Transgender Variant Intersex Justice Project that is based in California. A lot of her present day work is based on ensuring resources for transgender women, who are currently incarcerated and fighting for their releases.
She has worked hard to bring assistance to those with AIDS. During the late 70s and 80s, she provided additional medical care for those suffering from the deadly syndrome.
She has also paid for several funerals. In the 1990s Miss Major served with several HIV/AIDS organizations.
A new documentary titled Major! is in the works. The documentary will cover her 45 years of activism and celebrate this amazing woman’s life.
Watch the trailer here:
Featured Image: Courtesy Major Films Press Library.
