Sylvia Rivera was born in New York in 1951. She began experimenting with clothing and makeup at a young age; however, she was often targeted for harassment because of this and ended up running away from home.

After meeting Marsha P. Johnson, Rivera became involved in the Stonewall uprisings. Leading a protest against the raids, she became involved in not only queer liberation, but also the Black liberation movement. Rivera started the Street Transvestites Action Revolutionaries and was given a place of honor in the 25th annual Stonewall Inn March in 1994.