Sylvia Rivera, a person of strong beliefs and great courage has been through many things throughout her life. She lived as a gay member of society and a drag queen in the 1960’s. There would be many times that police would arrest LGBT members and brutally beat them. Many people in this community also suffered from lack of money and homelessness. Yet, this did not stop Sylvia. She made several attempts to protest against the discrimination against the gay community despite being pushed away by that same group. Many gay groups including the Gay Activist Allianace (GAA), did not except drag queens or people of color, in which Sylvia was both.

Now at the age of seventeen, Sylvia continues to work for the acceptance of the gay community. With the help of Marsha P. Johnson, who was also a drag queen and a self-identified transvestite, Sylvia founded the Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries (STAR) for LGBT members who lived in poverty. In the 1970's, majority of public entertainment hotspots did not allow LGBT members to enter the property. Yet, even the places who did except gay people, would not allow drag queens to enter.

One place had given drag queens a place to be at, but they were quickly ruled over by police riots. Marsha and Sylvia were once regulars at the Washington Square Bar, but because of the recent police raids, the two friends had to try somewhere else, “Are you sure you wanna try this place Sylvia?’ Marsha asked.

“Of course! I have a feeling something big is going to happen tonight.” Sylvia grinned. The Stonewall Inn was a popular gay bar. However, they let very few drag queens inside the actual bar unless the employees knew them. Fortunately. Marsha and Sylvia were both well known activists to the LGBT society.

Marsha sighed at Sylvia’s confidence but smiled nonetheless, “All right. Let's go in.” Marsha opened the door to the Stonewall Inn and the two drag queens entered the bar. The bartender, who was cleaning shot glasses with a cloth, looked up and was about to tell them off but they recognized Marsha, so the bartender let them be. Sylvia wiggled her eyebrows at her friend who rolled her eyes playfully.

“Well, would you look at that. We got in.” Sylvia remarked cheekily, sitting down at one of the stools with Marsha. She gave the bartender a nod and the employee quickly set up a medium sized glass of alcohol for Sylvia.

“I can see that. But do be careful. I doubt some people here will give us peace. Let alone the police raids occurring lately.” Marsha reminded her. After all, the reason why they originally went to a different bar was because of the police raids at the Washington Square Bar. Of course, it was still very dangerous to be there. Nowhere was safe from police raids.

Sylvia waved her hand carelessly, “Ah, live a little Marsha! Have a drink.” She passed a glass of alcohol to her friend who happily accepted. The two of them were having a great time, but unfortunately, tonight was not the night. At least to some people.

Only a few hours later, police men dressed in heavy uniforms in clads of blue entered the bar, coming in to collect their usual payoffs. The payoffs were something that the police came in to get on random nights, but everyone knew that it was a sorry excuse to drag everyone out of the bar. When everyone got dragged out, Sylvia and Marsha had gotten separated. Sylvia looked at the faces of those who were around her. All of them were furious. All of them were tired of being tossed around like nothing. So the only thing left to do was fight back.

Soon, people began to throw nickels, pennies, dimes, any coins they could get their hands on, throwing it at the windows, trying to hit the police. For Sylvia, this was an exhilarating experience, the chaos, the fighting, the shouting, all for the equality of gay people. It ignited a fire in her spirit, and she too began to throw coins at the police. After all, the police just got their payoffs, they would ‘definitely’ enjoy having more money.

Seeing Molotov Cocktails lying around the side of the street Sylvia tilted her head, “Why on earth are there Molotovs lying on the ground?” But then, she smirked, grabbing one of the brown bottles and lighting the wick with her cigarette lighter. Right before she threw her bottle, someone else threw a Molotov next to her, missing the bar windows by a few inches. Seeing the flames of the cloth getting closer to the neck of the bottle, Sylvia quickly threw her own Molotov Cocktail.

Cheers erupted in the crowd as the cocktail broke through the windows and into the bar. Everyone could hear the police shouting in panic, some of them exiting the Inn to escape the flames. The riots continued for hours, those from the Stonewall Inn refusing to back down. Finally, the riots slowly but surely died down with a few LGBT members getting arrested, some heavily beaten. However, to many people, that night was completely worth it.

And that was also the day in which Sylvia discovered her true power. Fighting back. She had done so many times before, yet she never stood out and got the attention of others as she had done that night. So she attended every single pride march, spoke speeches and joined committees. All to make sure people like herself were given the equal rights they deserved.