Sylvia Rivera’s Influence on Equal Human Rights
Niah Vazquez
English 3 Period 2
Mrs. Tsuyuki
May 8 2023
Outline
Thesis: One of the most important and most impactful activists in U.S. history is Sylvia Rivera. She is not one of the most well-known LGBTQ+ activists in the world for no reason, not only did she fight for Gay liberation since she was at the early age of 18 years old, but she also was also a transgender lesbian activist and an advocate for the homeless.
I. Her childhood and history
A. Her family and childhood
1. Born July 2, 1951, 2. Childhood as Ray Rivera, the Dragqueen
B. Her rough life in New York streets as a young kid Victim of sexual exploitation
Meeting Activist Marsha P. Johnson
II. Transgender lesbian activist
Drag queen activist life
Segregation inside and outside her own community
Multidimensional commitment to varied social movements
1. Co-creator of “S.T.A.R.”
2. Fight for S.O.N.D.A. in New York
3. Part of the
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Vincent’s Manhattan Hospital in 2002, she passed away from liver cancer accompanied by her Partner Julia Murray, but even after her death her legacy stayed over the years that are still going strong today, “Rivera’s legacy has led to organizations like the Sylvia Rivera Law Project, which “works to guarantee that all people are free to self-determine their gender identity and expression, regardless of income or race”(Perry). The Sylvia Rivera law project has been incredibly successful since it was created “This organization is continuing Rivera’s lifelong work to ensure a stable and safe existence for transgender, intersex, and gender nonconforming people ''(Perry). She was also recognized and has a street named after her in New York close to where the Stonewall riots happened, Sylvia Rivera was the representation for many voices that were not able to speak for themselves at the time and gave the power for others to fight against oppression as