Hispanic Star: Sylvia Rivera

Read about the most groundbreaking, iconic Hispanic and Latinx heroes who have shaped our culture and the world in this gripping biography series for young readers.

Meet Stonewall uprising veteran Sylvia Rivera—once just a kid from New York City. A transgender Latina, Sylvia became an influential gay liberation and transgender rights activist who fought especially for transgender people of colour. In the 1970s, Sylvia and Marsha P. Johnson founded the Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries (STAR), a group devoted to providing services and advocacy for homeless LGBTQ people. Nearly two decades after her passing, Sylvia and her legacy continue to have an impact on the LGBTQ rights movement and remain an inspiration for marginalized queer people everywhere. Hispanic Star proudly celebrates Hispanic and Latinx heroes who have made remarkable contributions to American culture and have been undeniable forces in shaping its future.