COMMENTARYTrans 101: Nex Benedict vigil speech & bullying

“We must work together to end bullying by unpacking each of our own learned and internalized transphobia, homophobia & racism

Hollywood vigil honors nonbinary teen who died after school fight: 'Nex really is one of many'

“A special vigil was held in Hollywood Sunday to honor Nex Benedict, a nonbinary 16-year-old who died one day after a physical altercation with several other students at their Oklahoma school.

The 2024 Los Angeles Blade Best of LGBTQ LA Awards are here!

“Vote for your favorite finalist now through January 7, 2024! Winners will be announced at the Best of LGBTQ LA Party on Friday, January 26th at Heart WEHO. More details about the party will be coming soon. Rose Montoya is nominated for Favorite Influencer.

The Oversexualization of Trans Bodies by Rose Montoya

“This is an example of what I like to call the “desire to cruelty” pipeline. In a society where only about four in 10 Americans personally know someone who is transgender, most people are left with only depictions of us, with millions of those being pornographic. This is paired with a political system where our healthcare and our right to exist often gets weaponized for votes. As a result, trans people are too often limited to being seen as sex objects—rather than people worthy of dating, falling in love, marrying, or creating families.

100 Women We Love: Rose Montoya

“I’m honestly surprised by how much has actually changed since I’ve become a content creator full time,” Rose Montoya reflects. Only a few years ago, the Latine, bisexual, and nonbinary transgender model, speaker, and advocate primarily worked as a makeup artist at a cosmetics counter. But when COVID-19 hit and she was laid off, Montoya decided to pivot. Now, they’re primarily known for their Trans 101 video series

100 Women We Love: Class of 2023

When GO Magazine first launched our annual feature, 100 Women We Love, nearly two decades ago, the world was a different place. The L Word had just wrapped its third season (did Shane just leave Carmen at the altar?); legal same-sex marriage was only available in Massachusetts (and briefly, San Francisco); “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” a policy meant to protect queers in the military, backfired spectacularly and was used to keep us from serving at all; and the very first gay woman, Patricia Todd, took office in the Alabama legislature (though her male counterpart in Washington was recently booted from office for looking at gay websites on his work computer).

Revry TV Pride Ball 2023

“The definitive vogue ballroom competition is here! Watch as the most famous "Houses" battle it out for the top prize in this queer spectator sport spectacle! Filmed at the renowned NeueHouse Hollywood before a live audience, Pride Ball, features hundreds of fierce competitors, seven iconic judges, and ten high-stakes categories! Hosted by the Legendary Isla Ebony and Icon Dashaun Wesley and ballroom luminaries Precious Basquiat and Jack Mizrahi. Sponsored by göt2be, Nike, and NeueHouse. Rose competes in Fem Queen Realness for $5,000!

Trans advocates ‘need more from White House’ following uptick in anti-trans bills, rhetoric

The Biden administration and other allies need to do more to advance and protect rights for transgender people and others in the LGBTQIA+ community, transgender advocates said Thursday during a Headliners Newsmaker at the National Press Club.

The white House Bowed to Right-Wing Outrage Over a Trans Activist's TikTok

The White House has apparently joined the disappointingly long list of institutions that have caved to right-wing outrage over Pride Month celebrations by condemning trans model Rose Montoya.

On “This Trans Day of Visibility I urge you to educate yourself, uplift Trans voices, and fight for our rights”

Gender affirming care is a human right that shouldn’t be outlawed by individual states. Trans rights are human rights

The Q Agenda Women’s History Month Special

On The Q Agenda Women’s History Month special, our hosts discuss how we can celebrate women with extra love this month. At the table, we sat down with trans-activist, Rose Montoya.

Trans 101 by Rose Montoya: International Women’s Day 2023

We must work in solidarity together in the fight for our rights. Trans women are women and Trans rights are human rights.

Trans 101 by Rose Montoya: The Importance of Condoms

Because of discrimination and transphobia in our society, trans people are at higher risk for STIs. Condoms and dental dams are the best way to protect against STIs. Visit your local @PlannedParenthood Health Center for free condoms, lube, free or affordable screenings, and so much more!

I Find Gender Euphoria… Interviews By Rose Montoya

We at FEMINIST know that a huge part of the fight for true equity is figuring out what it is about our bodies that makes us feel the most joyful. We asked several people of trans experience how they find gender euphoria, and how they work towards it in their own lives. This is what they had to say.

How Trans Model and Savage x Fenty Ambassador Rose Montoya Battled Depression and Chronic Anxiety

For transgender model and activist Rose Montoya, chronic anxiety and depression have always been a part of her life. Montoya works as a professional model and has been featured by brands such as Savage X Fenty and TOMS, and most recently she modeled for FOLX Health to showcase their PrEP launch. She also creates content that details her experiences as a trans model and uses her platform to advocate for trans inclusion, body acceptance, and mental health awareness.

Michael Henry, Sherry Vine, Haaz Sleiman, The Old Gays, Rose Montoya & more get out the VOTE!

Why should you vote in the midterm elections? We asked members of the LGBTQ community, and the team at Queerty, LGBTQ Nation, GayCities, and Into, why they think it’s crucial you get to the polls and make your voices heard on November 8th.

Trans Women Describe The 'Gender Euphoria' Of Finally Getting Breast Implants

We spoke to four trans women about their experiences getting breast implants, from deciding on cup size to how family and partners reacted to the change. "This was a radical act of self-love, not an act of desperation or out of hating my body. I loved my body enough to affirm it," said Rose Montoya, a 27-year-old from Los Angeles.

What Makes Trans Joy Such a Powerful Antidote to Transphobia

With political and media bigotry against trans people running rampant, one powerful weapon of resistance has been to find joy and pleasure wherever possible.Model, activist and Instagram celebrity Rose Montoya of Los Angeles said she first found joy in being trans when Laverne Cox visited her college campus seven years ago.

White House Announces Big Changes To Airport Security Policies on International Transgender Day of Visibility

Today, March 31, is the International Transgender Day of Visibility. A day that, according to the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN), is “dedicated to celebrating the accomplishments of transgender and gender nonconforming people while raising awareness of the work that still needs to be done to achieve trans justice.”

PHOTOS: Kick off The Queerties Awards 10th anniversary on the red carpet

Meet the incredible TikTokers nominated in the 2022 Queerties

Voting in the 2022 Queerties is underway, and these ten TikTokers have kept our feeds brimming with entertaining and informative content all year long. They’re all more than deserving of the top prize, but only one can win! Get acquainted with them below, and be sure to vote for your favorites each day until February 22.

OUT 100: 18 LGBTQ+ Policy Makers and Advocates Changing the World

Change doesn't come easy. But in the spheres of politics and advocacy, these Out100 honorees are getting things done for LGBTQ+ folks and other marginalized communities.

‘You are who you are’: Panelists discuss the power of a name in the LGBTQIA+ experience

Pitt hosted an event on Monday titled “What’s in a Name?: Legal Names and the LGBTQIA+ Experience with Rosalynne Montoya,” which explored the legal name change process and how a person’s name defines them.

Trans 101 by Rose Montoya: Transitioning

The Los Angeles Blade is pleased to introduce and debut our new featured advice columnist, Rosalynne Montoya. Transitioning: the act of leaning into one’s own gender euphoria/ changing ones appearance or physical body to reflect their gender identity. Not required to be transgender. Often difficult to access due to finances, lack of affirming insurance, lack of affirming providers, lack of parental support, etc.

Hispanic Heritage Month: 18 Latino influencers, creatives to follow on Instagram in Arizona

In celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month, which begins Sept. 15, we are highlighting Instagram influencers in metro Phoenix who are of Hispanic and Latino heritage. These social media figures have grown sizable communities on- and offline as artists, business owners, community members and people whom social media users look to for inspiration and advice. They share their cultures, talents and resources on Instagram and other platforms.

Trans Activist & TikTok Star Rose Montoya Says the Confidence Plastic Surgery Gives Her Is “Priceless”

Rose Montoya is a 25-year-old activist and model living in Phoenix. She shares her journey and experience as a trans woman on YouTube and with her more than half a million followers on TikTok. This is her story of coming out, getting surgery, and becoming an influential voice for the LGBTQIA+ community.

#TravelingWhileTrans: The trauma of returning to ‘normal’

When preparing for an upcoming flight, most transgender people would far prefer simple stressors like zipping shut an overstuffed suitcase or remembering to pack a cellphone charger. Oftentimes, though, traveling while trans means carrying a lot of other baggage — worrying about verbal and physical harassment, toting medical equipment and prosthetics, and generally wondering how safe a destination is for trans people.

Celebrate Pride Month: Meet Arizona's most well-known LGBTQ Instagram influencers

Rosalynne (Rose) Montoya is a model, actor, makeup artist and public speaker, according to her Instagram profile, and is transgender and gender nonbinary. Montoya uses the pronouns she and her as well as they and them.

These LGBTQ+ TikTok Stars Will Have You Laughing All Pandemic Long

Rose Montoya made headlines recently for their video about TSA transphobia, and many of their other uploads give visibility to continuing transgender inequality. But they also show the lighter side of trans life, too, like when a fallen potato chip becomes a moment of affirmation!

Everyday Activities Continue To Be A Challenge For Trans People

Earlier this month, Rose Montoya went viral after she posted a TikTok detailing her experience of going through airport security as a trans woman.

This Trans Woman Shared Her Humiliating Experience Going Through Airport TSA, And It's Starting A Bigger Conversation About The Struggles Trans People Face

"Going through the scanner, I always have an 'anomaly' between my legs that sets off the alarm." Rosalynne Montoya — who goes by Rose — is an Arizona-based, Hispanic, bisexual, non-binary transgender woman who uses the pronouns she/her or they/them. "I’m a public speaker, model, actor, makeup artist, and content creator. My goal is to spread love and education about my community as I share my story," she told BuzzFeed.

Woman's airport scanner experience highlights the importance of transgender training

Rose Montoya was flying from Phoenix to Los Angeles when she passed through the TSA screeners, as all air travelers are required to do. However, her security screening experience was problematic in ways that people who aren't transgender might not ever think about.

Transgender woman accuses TSA of being 'transphobic' while detailing the horror she faced at airport security, saying she has an 'anomaly' between her legs that 'sets off the alarm'

A non-binary transgender woman from Arizona has accused the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) of being 'transphobic' while detailing the humiliation she faced at airport security.

Fear and loathing in LAX

LOS ANGELES – When most people go to an airport, they dread having enduring the obligatory process of being screened for security purposes by the Department of Homeland Security’s Transportation Security Administration (TSA). The lines are long, the process takes forever, and you have to remove your shoes. But, for transgender individuals, those concerns pale in comparison to what their process is like.

Trans woman shares ‘immense anxiety’ she feels going through airport security: ‘The system is broken’

TikToker and model Rose Montoya has called out the Transport Security Administration (TSA) on TikTok for how their scanners give trans people “immense anxiety”.

TikToker Discusses Difficult Reality Of Navigating Airport Security As A Trans Woman

A TikToker has explained how difficult it can be to go through airport security as a trans woman. Rose Montoya recently posted a video discussing the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) rules and practices when it comes to trans people navigating airports.

TikToker Calls TSA 'Transphobic' After Sharing 'Horrible' Airport Experience

A video posted to TikTok on Friday has gone viral after creator Rose Montoya used the platform to discuss the "horrible" experiences she faces while traveling as a transgender woman.

Office of LGBTQ Resources welcomes transfeminine influencers to discuss modeling, TikTok and more

On March 5, the Office of LBGTQ Resources hosted a panel discussion on transfemininity in social media. The office welcomed Black transgender social activist and model Jessica Zyrie, as well as Latinx bisexual nonbinary trans woman and influencer Rosalynne Montoya as speakers at the event.

TINITUS– a new fashion world led by inclusivity, diversity, and solidarity

FBEVERLY HILLS – A year ago the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus was unleashed on the globe with terrifying results. Commerce, government, industry — in fact, life as humanity knew it, ground to a halt. And the silence left only a ringing in the ears. The impact was colossal and keenly felt as health officials and governments urged their citizens to isolate and retreat to safer spaces.

TikTok Deleted My Account Because I'm a Latina Trans Woman

Real people—not just computer programs— should be involved before accounts are deleted. The community guidelines should not be able to be used as a tool to discriminate and target marginalized people.

Bi Pirate TikTok Is Here. Captain Hook Has 24 Hours to Respond

If you're on the bisexual and/or cosplay side of TikTok, you've probably noticed a new trend taking over your For You Page: bi pirate (AKA "birate") TikTok. As of this writing, the hashtag #birates has amassed over 22 million views, with related hashtags like #bipiratetiktok and #bisexualpiratetiktok clocking millions of views of their own.

Seattle-based clothing line TomboyX lets models make the rules

There was the Black model whose hair was burned by a stylist. The nonbinary model who was asked to walk a runway as a man. Just for starters. Fran Dunaway, the founder of the Seattle-based clothing line TomboyX, has heard those stories, and more.

Intersectionality & Inclusion at TomboyX

Recently we had the valued opportunity to work with a community of intersectional models to develop a process that ensures consideration and a safe environment for all model talent that works with TomboyX.

Rose Montoya - Coming Out Transgender | Coming Out Stories | Unite UK

I didn't grow up knowing about the LGBTQ+ community. For the longest time I thought the terms queer and gay were words used to belittle effeminate males. I didn't know the word transgender until I was a teenager. It took me a long time to figure myself out and feel comfortable with how I identify.

Community Stories: Phenomenal Woman

As we celebrate womxn this day, month, and all throughout our lives, we turned over the conversation to you, our Tomboys. Thank you to those who shared their story.

Trans Day Of Remembrance

A Forward from CEO Fran Dunaway: At TomboyX we honor our differences and believe in a #HumanAgenda to make the world more inclusive, accepting, and affirming place. Our hearts are broken by increasing violence towards and death of our siblings within the trans community. In 2018, there were 369 transgender or gender diverse people killed globally.

'I was told to 'man up' after being thrown into a dumpster. I believed I was an abomination.': Trans woman believed she'd 'go to hell' for transitioning, now feels 'worthy of happiness'

"'Can you leave? We are having girl chat.' I left and sat alone in the field. Teachers would laugh when I'd tell them I was being bullied. I cried and prayed to God, 'Please let me wake up and be a girl.' This is me. I am a woman."

This gay-owned, gender neutral clothing company is revolutionizing the underwear industry

Rainbow-themed laptop skins. Rainbow-themed sparkling water. Rainbow-themed mouthwash. It seems no matter where you look, scroll, or shop, there is no shortage of Pride-themed gear to get you through the month of June. But nothing shines quite so bright as TomboyX, a Seattle-based clothing company specializing in inclusive, gender neutral underwear.

Shop These 9 Brands That Go Above and Beyond to Celebrate Queer People

Ah, Pride season, the annual time of year during which major brands and corporations suddenly remember that LGBTQ people live, breathe, and spend money. I jest- er, kind of. This year, support brands like these nine companies, all of which champion queer pride and inclusion in various ways (and not just during June.)

Celebrate Pride month and beyond with a rainbow of fashion options

Rainbow stripes can be seen in full bloom this month as the LGBTQ community - and its allies - continue to celebrate and make a statement about equality and inclusion. This year's Pride month is especially resonant as 2019 marks the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising in New York, when police raided the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar on Christopher Street in Greenwich Village.

TomboyX Just Launched Rainbow Pride Underwear That Goes Up To A 4X

Pride is the time of year where LGBTQ people are celebrated for truly being their authentic selves. TomboyX's 2019 Pride collection is replicating the colorful celebration with a series of comfortable (and gender non-conforming) rainbow-inspired lingerie with messages that anyone, LGBTQ or not, can get behind.

Transgender Latina hopes her Valentine's Day poem inspires self-love

Editor's note: Rosalynne Montoya identifies as a transgender Latina woman with "a passion for advocating for my community and helping others feel valid, loved, and beautiful." A writer, makeup artist, and model, Montoya "grew up sheltered from the LGBT community without knowing any queer people or the language for my own identity."

Poem: A Dozen Roses of Self Love

A Dozen Roses of Self Love A love letterFor me, not you. dysphoria mayIntrude my thoughts, Still I thank my bodySurvived, transformed, fought. I have legs for days,Support me to march and run. These arms create, paint,Raise fists as one. My smile radiates,Comforts, and spreads. This face is beat - Lips in warrior red.

Queer your Valentine's Day gifts from the LGBTQ+ community

At the center of Valentine's Day is the tender idea of celebrating love, and, more so, celebrating the one you love. Here at Equally Wed, we're sweet on love, visibility and representation of our LGBTQ+ community. In the spirit of celebrating people like us, we're dedicating our Valentine's gift guide to products from our own LGBTQ+ community.

This Valentine's Day Undies Line Shatters Gender Stereotypes AND Goes Up To A 4X

For ages, society has spent time picking apart who you are to fit the mold of a specific standard of beauty. Thankfully, in the last few years, being the most authentic version of yourself has never been trendier - and that's so the mood the TomboyX...

Gender Is Only As Real As You Make It

I was born in a small town in Idaho surrounded by religious and conservative influences. I grew up without the knowledge of the community I now identify with—without hearing the word transgender...

Trans Conference Sets New Record

Mazzoni Center’s annual Trans Wellness Conference broke its attendance record with more than 9,500 guests in its 17th year, making it the largest transgender-focused conference in the country.

On International Transgender Day of Visibility Remember #TransIsBeautiful

In April of 2015 Laverne Cox decided to pose nude for Allure Magazine. By doing this she sent the world a message with hashtag #transisbeautiful. At the time I was just beginning to understand my gender identity.

7 Trans and Gender Nonconforming Make-Up Artists To Follow On Instagram

There are thousands of online make-up artists to follow on Instagram and YouTube, but what about trans and gender non-conforming artists? What about artists who are welcoming towards us? We compiled a list of our favorite artists to look out for. 1.

A Letter To The Trans Community

To the Trans Community, Happy Pride month! This is the time for us to celebrate who we are and how far we've come as individuals and as a community. Today I am proud to be a transgender woman. This pride month, I am celebrating 2 years on hormone replacement therapy.