CONTENT WARNINGS: This episode discusses childhood trauma, suicide, physical and sexual violence, substance abuse, survival sex work, discrimination, and systemic oppression. Please take care while listening.

Explore the life of Sylvia Rivera (1951-2002), the fierce trans Latina activist who co-founded STAR and fought for transgender inclusion in the early gay rights movement. Despite being marginalized by mainstream LGBTQ+ organizations, Rivera's unwavering advocacy for homeless queer youth and transgender rights helped shape modern liberation movements.

Watch Sylvia's historic "Y'all Better Quiet Down" speech from 1973: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mprUOGBWCvY - Original 16mm footage rediscovered by the Lesbian Herstory Archives.

• Trans Lifeline: 877-565-8860 (24/7)
• The Trevor Project: 1-866-488-7386 (24/7)
• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: 988 (24/7)
• Crisis Text Line: Text START to 741-741

• Sylvia Rivera Law Project: https://srlp.org
• Digital Transgender Archive: https://www.digitaltransgenderarchive.net/col/j96020977
• Women's History Museum: https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/sylvia-rivera
• Making Gay History Podcast: https://makinggayhistory.org/podcast/sylvia-rivera-part-2/
• Library of Congress LGBTQ+ Resources: https://www.loc.gov/lgbt-pride-month/resources/

This episode honors Rivera's legacy while acknowledging the historical complexity of early LGBTQ+ movements. Her intersectional activism reminds us that revolutionary change often comes from the most marginalized voices.

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