Stormé DeLarverie was a singer, performer, and LGBTQ+ activist whose courage and lifelong community leadership earned her a lasting place in queer history. Born in New Orleans in 1920 to a Black mother and a white father, DeLarverie grew up facing racism and exclusion, experiences that shaped her deep sense of justice and protection for others. In the 1950s and 1960s, she became a celebrated performer with the Jewel Box Revue — the nation’s first racially integrated drag revue — where her androgynous style and commanding stage presence challenged gender stereotypes and opened space for queer expression.
DeLarverie is widely remembered for her role in the 1969 Stonewall uprising, often described as “the woman who threw the first punch.” While accounts differ, many witnesses credit her resistance to police harassment that night as a spark that fueled the collective uprising. Whether or not a single moment can define Stonewall, DeLarverie’s defiance embodied the spirit of self-determination and dignity at the heart of the LGBTQ+ rights movement.
In the decades that followed, DeLarverie continued her activism in quieter but equally powerful ways. Living in New York City, she worked as a volunteer “guardian” for the queer community — especially for lesbians, elders, and vulnerable individuals — intervening in harassment, supporting community spaces, and mentoring younger activists. She was a visible, protective presence at Pride events and community gatherings well into her later years.
Through her artistry, activism, and lifelong commitment to defending her community, she helped pave the way for generations of LGBTQ+ people to live more freely and openly — with pride and without fear.
