About Us → News & Events Stigma Warrior: Meet Rose Montoya

My name is Rosalynne Jamie Delfina Montoya, better known as Rose. I am a Latina, bisexual, nonbinary transgender woman, my pronouns are she/her/hers and they/them/their/theirs. I work as a professional educator, public speaker, content creator, model, and actor. I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Film with a Minor in Women and Gender Studies from Seattle University when I was 19. I tirelessly use my platform to advocate for the transgender community, body acceptance, and mental wellness. I also love to educate people online every day by answering people’s questions, clearing up misconceptions, sharing action items to fight injustice and anti-trans laws. I am also the creator of the viral series Trans 101 and the educational resource website of the same name. I offer a unique intersectional lens across trans, queer, and Latine inclusion in workspaces, healthcare, and education. From Capital Hill to Fortune 500 companies, to prestigious universities, I have led many safe, open discussions on intersectional identity, diversity, equity, self-love, transitioning, leaning into gender euphoria, being an ally, relationships, boundaries, sex education, and being a survivor of domestic violence and sexual assault. My work has been featured in TIME Magazine, Washington Post, CNN, LATV Network, Revry TV, Time Square, and more. OUT Magazine honored me as one of 18 educators to be featured in their 2021 OUT 100 issue, I was nominated by Queerty for favorite TikToker of the Year in 2022, and nominated by The Los Angeles Blade as Favorite Influencer in their Best of LA 2024. My goal is to spread love and education about my community as I share my story.

I didn’t grow up seeing many people I could relate to in the media. I hope to be a part in the representation I needed when I was younger. Because I never saw myself, I believed the lies society told me. I lived in shame and fear until I found community. One of the most powerful things a therapist ever told me was that I am perfect. Society told me I wasn’t good enough and that I was immoral for showing my authentic self. While I’m thankful for social media and the visibility of other LGBTQPIA+ people, it has also made me doubt myself on occasion. I compare myself to others I see, to cisgender woman who are conventionally attractive, to creators with more followers than me, to people who book jobs that I wanted, etc. It’s unfair to compare myself to them. It’s unfair for others to compare themselves to me too. We are each on our own journey. I have to remind myself to practice gratitude and remember that my younger self would be so proud of who I am today. A past version of yourself used to dream about where you are now. Be proud of yourself. You did it.

I fight stigma by existing. My very choice to live is a rebellious act that goes against society’s expectations and pressures. I vote. I protest. I petition. I educate myself and others.

I want to remind you that who you are is good enough. And it’s okay if who you are changes tomorrow. You are worthy. You are loved.