Sylvia Rivera was a pioneering LGBTQ+ rights activist of Puerto Rican and Venezuelan descent, born in New York City in 1951. She faced a challenging childhood, becoming orphaned at a young age and experiencing homelessness. Rivera became a prominent figure in the gay liberation movement, notably participating in the Stonewall Riots of 1969. She co-founded the Gay Liberation Front and the Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries (STAR) alongside Marsha P. Johnson, focusing on supporting homeless transgender youth. Rivera's relentless advocacy laid the groundwork for inclusive policies and organizations that continue to support the LGBTQ+ community today.