Since the debut of Ruby Rose Langenheim on "Orange Is the New Black", the Australian model, actress, DJ, and recording artist has garnered the attention of... well, everyone. Most of the talk is centered around her androgynous looks, which are of universal sex appeal, according to one article from The Huffington Post; but while she is undoubtedly gorgeous, it's important to note that she has also brought gender issues to the front stage.
In addition to writing, producing, and starring in a short film titled "Break Free" addressing the transition from a conventional gender role to a physicality the deviates from the status quo, Ruby Rose has also spoken out about her identity as genderfluid in a recent interview with Elle:
Gender fluidity is not really feeling like you're at one end of the spectrum or the other. For the most part, I definitely don't identify as any gender. 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. I have a lot of characteristics that would normally be present in a guy and then less that would be present in a woman. But then sometimes I'll put on a skirt – like today.
Although Rose has mentioned that she prefers to use female pronouns, her gender fluidity allows her to decide on the appearance she embraces daily, regardless of whether it aligns with conventional norms.
While it's great that people from all sexualities are embracing Rose's gender identity, with even heterosexual women on social media jokingly making comments about "turning gay", it's important to note that 1. that's offensive, because 2. you're not gay 3. Ruby Rose doesn't identify as female 4. you simply have eyes. Regardless, the positive takeaway from the sentiment is that in spite of identifying with a specific sexual identity, you can still have attractions that confound it.
Especially in light of Caitlyn Jenner's recent public transition (which Rose has openly supported), it's safe to say that we are in the midst of a long-awaited transgender movement. With the platform that Rose has transcending sexual binaries to bring attention to gender issues many are not aware of, she's taught us that we could learn a thing or two from jumping to praise a celebrity for her hotness before listening to what she has to say. With this newest conversation Rose has started about gender fluidity, she told Elle, "I'm just proud to be alive during this massive shift in the world."
