Rose Montoya

Montoya was born on October 10, 1995.[1] She grew up in rural southern Idaho in a family with four siblings.[8] She learned American Sign Language as a child due to her mother working as a sign language interpreter. Her father worked as a worship pastor at their church and her mother worked as a Christian missionary.[8][9][10][11] Montoya realized she was attracted to men in Middle School and outed herself as gay in 2010 while in high school.[8][11][9] She then began performing in drag shows which led to her coming out as a transgender woman in 2015.[8][11][9] She started transitioning on June 23, 2015, and changed her legal name in September 2015.[8] In 2016, she came out as bisexual and, in 2019, as a non-binary transgender woman using both feminine and non-binary gender pronouns.[8][10]

Montoya graduated in 2015 from Seattle University with a bachelor of arts degree in film studies at 19 years old.[12]

Montoya worked as a full-time makeup artist and manager at a department store's cosmetics counter until she was laid off during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States.[6][11] During this time, she focused on turning her social media platforms into a full-time job.[6] Montoya uses their social media to create educational content regarding transgender issues, experiences, and rights.[6] She has made sponsored posts with FX Networks, New York City Pride, Planned Parenthood, Fenty Beauty, Parade, and Fluide.[13][14][15][16][17] In 2022, Montoya was nominated for Favorite TikToker at the 10th annual Queerty Awards.[7] She has spoken and presented on transgender rights at the Philadelphia Trans Wellness Conference, the Downtown Emergency Service Center, the University of Pittsburgh, Stanford University, and Yale University.[18][19][20] She launched the educational website The Trans 101 to spread awareness regarding issues faced by transgender people.[21] Montoya is also a board member of the non-profit, Aadya Rising.[22] She was one of the activists featured in Out's 18 LGBTQ+ Policy Makers and Advocates Changing the World.[6]

Montoya began modeling in 2018, after she was discovered by the undergarment company TomboyX.[2][6] She was scouted by Tricia Romani of League Models and InspirationALL Talent [2] through her TikTok channel and is signed to them for acting and modeling. She has modeled in advertisement campaigns for Savage X Fenty, Yandy.com, Adore Me, Toms Shoes, and oVertone.[2][3][4][5] In June 2021, Rose was featured on a billboard in New York City as one of the faces of LGBT telehealth group Folx Health's launch campaign for PreP.[23][24]

Montoya has spoken publicly about gender-affirming surgeries she underwent, including a breast augmentation, a tracheal shave, and a genioplasty.[11][25] She has also opened up about her experiences living with chronic anxiety and depression.[26][27]

Montoya is polyamorous and frequently uses her platforms to educate people about different relationship structures.[28][29] Montoya used to be Bob the Drag Queen's metamour and joined him for a podcast episode.[30]

• 2021 - One of 18 Latinx Creatives to Follow from Arizona Republic[45]
• 2021 - Out Magazine's Out 100 Honoree honoring the magazine's selection of 18 LGBTQ+ Policy Makers and Advocates Changing the World in 2021[6]

• List of LGBT people from New York City
• Transgender culture in New York City