Miss Major Griffin-Gracy
she/her
1940
Biography
Miss Major Griffin-Gracy, often referred to simply as Miss Major, is a towering figure in the history of transgender activism. A veteran of the 1969 Stonewall uprising, she has dedicated her life to fighting for the rights and dignity of transgender women of color.
After Stonewall, Miss Major continued her activism while facing incarceration, poverty, and violence. Her experiences fueled her commitment to supporting the most vulnerable members of her community. She moved to California and began working with various HIV/AIDS organizations in the 1990s.
She is perhaps best known for her role as the original Executive Director of the Transgender Gender-Variant & Intersex Justice Project (TGIJP), where she advocated for transgender women in the prison system. Her approach to activism is rooted in mentorship and direct support, and she is considered a living mother and grandmother to countless individuals in the trans community. Her unwavering voice and lifelong dedication have made her an icon of resilience and a crucial leader in the fight for justice.
Notable For
- Her participation in the Stonewall Riots of 1969.
- Her leadership and mentorship, serving as a community elder for generations of transgender people.
- Her work as the original Executive Director for the Transgender Gender-Variant & Intersex Justice Project (TGIJP), which advocates for incarcerated trans women.
- Her lifelong advocacy for the most marginalized members of the LGBTQ+ community, including those who are incarcerated or involved in sex work.
Sources
- "MAJOR!" (2016 documentary)
- "Miss Major Speaks: The Life and Times of a Black Trans Elder" by Miss Major Griffin-Gracy and Toshio Meronek
Editorial History
To improve this entry, please suggest an edit on GitHub.
Sign in to GitHub to suggest changes. After editing, commit to a new branch and open a pull request; maintainers will review it.