Miss Major Griffin-Gracy, the veteran transgender activist and Stonewall riots survivor, has been honoured in London for her decades of service to the trans community. The 82-year-old (or 76, according to her ID) is known for her unyielding activism and her sanctuary, Tilifi, in Arkansas, where she provides respite for trans and gender-nonconforming people.
Reflecting on her life, Miss Major said: 'All these people who challenged and fought me – where are they? They're gone. I'm here.' She has outlived many adversaries, including those in the white gay non-profit sector who refused to serve trans sex workers. Her latest project, Tilifi (Telling It Like It Fuckin' Is), is a refuge built on her property in the conservative southern state, complete with a guest house called the Oasis, a pool, and a garden with 81 palm trees.
Miss Major's activism began at the 1969 Stonewall riots, where she was knocked unconscious. She later endured prison abuse and built radical programmes for marginalised queer people. Her mother named her Major after a psychic predicted her significant legacy. Despite being sent to psychiatric institutions as a teenager for being trans, she found support from a drag performer named Kitty, who helped her embrace her identity.
Now, Miss Major continues to fight for trans rights, saying: 'Get off our backs and let us live.' Her mantra, 'I'm still fucking HERE', adorns her living room wall and serves as a rallying cry for Black trans women. She remains defiant against anti-trans legislation in Arkansas, stating: 'It can be whatever colour, I'm still gonna be here.'
