Ruby Rose, new cast member of Orange Is the New Black, explains being gender fluid

Actress Ruby Rose is joining a growing chorus of challenges to conventional notions of gender identity. In an interview with Elle magazine published online Monday, Rose explained that both she and her her “Orange Is the New Black” character Stella Carlin identify as “gender fluid.”

Those who have already watched all 13 episodes of OITNB season three know that character Stella (spoiler!) appears naked on the show. For Rose, playing a gender fluid character in a show already full of a diverse array of identities provides a platform for her to educate the public.

[OITNB Season 3 Recap]

Rose explains gender fluidity as not defining oneself as strictly male or female.

“For the most part, I definitely don’t identify as any gender,” she told Elle. “I’m not a guy; I don’t really feel like a woman, but obviously I was born one. So, I’m somewhere in the middle, which – in my perfect imagination – is like having the best of both sexes.”

This isn’t the first time Rose has spoken publicly about her gender identity. Last year, she gained attention as one of few gender fluid and gender-neutral models, the Advocate reported.

Advertisement

“As a little kid, I was convinced that I was a guy,” Rose told The Guardian last year. “I used to bind with ACE bandages, which is really, really bad for you. I was like, five or six? I was really young. I didn’t have anything there to bind! I used to sleep on my chest because I thought it would stop me from getting boobs. I used to pray to God that I wouldn’t get breasts.”

She originally came out as lesbian to her mom at age 12, Hollywood Life reported, and has since said that she identifies as both male and female, though prefers using female pronouns. She is currently engaged to Phoebe Dahl, Daily Mail reports.

Rose also spoke with Elle about Caitlyn Jenner’s decision to share her female gender identity publicly after living for 65 years as Bruce Jenner. Rose said she’s happy to see the media and public warming to Jenner so quickly, saying it’s an important time for the transgender community.

“Between Orange with Laverne, the show Transparent, and Caitlyn Jenner, obviously we’re in the middle of something enormous – a transgender movement,” she told Elle. “I’m just proud to be alive during this massive shift in the world.”

Correction: A previous version of this article incorrectly stated Rose was naked in multiple scenes. According to a Post reviewer, she is naked only once.

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7uK3SoaCnn6Sku7G70q1lnKedZLumw9JopKiqnp67qHnMoq9or6Bkf3F9lGhnb2dha3yzwcGyZKuno5p6r7HWZpqaq6Riuqa5wZ6pZqeWYryzrc2gnGaho2LBqbGMp5ywZZKhrqS3jJ6vqaSRnru0ecGeoKefXZyyr7DEq2SfpKWesXA%3D