Anti-gay laws were particularly strict in New York at the time, and police raids were common. Along with Latina trans activist Sylvia Rivera, Marsha founded the advocacy group S.T.A.R. (Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries), which fought for the rights of LGBTQ youth, particularly homeless trans youth.
She is also remembered for her activism in the AIDS crisis. Both Marsha and Sylvia identified as drag queens. Stormé became an active member of the Stonewall Veteran’s Association and went