Trans 101 by Rose Montoya: Trans Day of Visibility

Graphic courtesy of the Office for Institutional Equity and Diversity, NC State University

Los Angeles Blade featured columnist, Rose Montoya, is a hugely popular YouTube, Instagram & Tiktok creator with her‘Trans 101′ 1 minute video shorts which offer tips, advice, and support for Trans people and solid information for Trans allies and others seeking answers.

LOS ANGELES – April has been Sexual Assault Awareness Month. I’m a survivor of multiple sexual assaults before I transitioned and since. I want to say if it’s happened to you, remember that it’s not your fault no matter what. Make sure you’re safe. It’s okay to tell someone you trust what happened. You shouldn’t have to carry this alone. If you choose to report, try not to change anything about your physical appearance, so they can collect any evidence that may be on your body.

Dealing with the aftermath can be overwhelming, but you’re not alone. Consider seeking medical care at places like Planned Parenthood or reach out to a hotline such as RAINN 800.656.HOPE (4673) or Trans Lifeline 877.565.8860. I never reported mine, because I didn’t feel safe to do so. The decision should be yours and yours alone. If you’re minor, however, and tell an adult, they may legally be required by their job to report it.

I Have Herpes

This is really hard for me to talk about. But because it’s important to destigmatize and April is STI Awareness Month, I want to let y’all know that I am living with herpes. I continue to have healthy relationships, intimacy, and am healthy and happy.

Herpes is a super-common virus that will always stay in my body. It can cause blisters or sores on my genitals and/or mouth. They can be painful and embarrassing, but usually don’t lead to serious health problems for people. More than half of Americans have oral herpes also known as cold sores or fever blisters and 1 in 6 people ages 15-49 have genital herpes. It is spread from skin-to-skin contact with infected areas, often during sex and kissing.

Many people don’t notice the sores or mistake them for something else, and may not know they’re infected. It is most contagious when sores are open, but it can even be spread when someone is asymptomatic. Herpes can live in the body for years without causing symptoms, so it’s hard to know for sure when and how it is contracted. There is no cure, but medication can ease the symptoms and lower chances of giving the virus to a partner. And luckily, outbreaks usually become less frequent over time.

There’s no shame in having an STI. The best thing is to be educated, communicate honestly, and play safe.

*********************************************************************************

Rose, is a Hispanic, bisexual, nonbinary transgender woman. Rose’s pronouns are she/her/hers and they/them/their/theirs. She works as a model, actor, public speaker, makeup artist, advocate, and content creator.

Rose is also a board member of Aadya Rising, a nonprofit working to fill in the gaps to help the transgender community. She has been in campaigns and featured by TomboyX, Savage X Fenty, Yandy, FX Networks, New York City Pride, Planned Parenthood, and more. Their goal is to spread love and education about their community as they share their story.

********************

To follow Rose:

Advice

Trans 101 by Rose Montoya: Gender Affirming Care

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

Published

2 months ago

on

March 29, 2023

By

Photo Credit: Emily Wray via Equality Florida

Los Angeles Blade featured columnist, Rose Montoya, is back with her hugely popular ‘Trans 101′ 1 minute video shorts from Insta which offer tips, advice, and support for Trans people and solid information for Trans allies and others seeking answers.

By Rose Montoya | LOS ANGELES – Gender affirming care looks different for each trans person, as it depends on what feels right for each individual, it’s not one size fits all. This may or may not include changing pronouns or one’s name or wardrobe, it may include hormones or surgery. Everyone, including trans kids, trans adolescents, and trans adults deserve access to high-quality, affirming, and affordable health care. Gender affirming care is a human right that shouldn’t be outlawed by individual states. Trans rights are human rights

To learn more follow me and visit https://thetrans101.com

WATCH:

******************************************************************************************

Rose, is a Hispanic, bisexual, nonbinary transgender woman. Rose’s pronouns are she/her/hers and they/them/their/theirs. She works as a model, actor, public speaker, makeup artist, advocate, and content creator.

Rose is also a board member of Aadya Rising, a nonprofit working to fill in the gaps to help the transgender community. She has been in campaigns and featured by TomboyX, Savage X Fenty, Yandy, FX Networks, New York City Pride, Planned Parenthood, and more. Their goal is to spread love and education about their community as they share their story.

********************

To follow Rose:

Advice

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

Published

3 months ago

on

March 8, 2023

By

Photo by Rose Montoya

Los Angeles Blade featured columnist, Rose Montoya, is back with her hugely popular ‘Trans 101′ 1 minute video shorts from Insta which offer tips, advice, and support for Trans people and solid information for Trans allies and others seeking answers.

By Rose Montoya | LOS ANGELES – On International Women’s Day, remember to celebrate all women — cisgender women, Transgender women, femmes — and our incredible achievements. This includes the BIPOC Trans women who paved the way for the acceptance and the rights the Queer Community has today.

Sadly, though, we still have a long way to go on this journey. According to the World Economic Forum, none of us will likely see gender parity in our lifetimes, and most likely, neither will many of our children. We need to close gaps across health, education, pay, political representation, and more.

Many lawmakers in the US are currently stripping women and trans people from bodily autonomy, reproductive access, and gender affirming care. We know we cannot achieve gender equity until ALL people are empowered to control their bodies, lives, and futures and have full access to sexual and reproductive health and rights.

To truly honor women around the world, we cannot just thank them — we must work in solidarity together in the fight for our rights. Trans women are women and Trans rights are human rights.

WATCH:

******************************************************************************************

Rose, is a Hispanic, bisexual, nonbinary transgender woman. Rose’s pronouns are she/her/hers and they/them/their/theirs. She works as a model, actor, public speaker, makeup artist, advocate, and content creator.

Rose is also a board member of Aadya Rising, a nonprofit working to fill in the gaps to help the transgender community. She has been in campaigns and featured by TomboyX, Savage X Fenty, Yandy, FX Networks, New York City Pride, Planned Parenthood, and more. Their goal is to spread love and education about their community as they share their story.

********************

To follow Rose:

Advice

Trans 101 by Rose Montoya: The Importance of Condoms

Visit your local @PlannedParenthood Health Center for free condoms, lube, free or affordable screenings, and so much more!

Published

3 months ago

on

February 22, 2023

By

Courtesy of Global Protection Corporation, Boston, Massachusetts

Los Angeles Blade featured columnist, Rose Montoya, is back with her hugely popular ‘Trans 101′ 1 minute video shorts from Insta which offer tips, advice, and support for Trans people and solid information for Trans allies and others seeking answers.

By Rose Montoya | LOS ANGELES – 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!

In this lesson I also debunk a common misconception about trans people. Because there is a lack of studies and information, gender-affirming hormone therapy cannot be relied upon as a form of contraception even though it does generally decrease fertility. A fertility test can confirm whether or not hormones are a reliable contraceptive for each individual.

WATCH:

******************************************************************************************

Rose, is a Hispanic, bisexual, nonbinary transgender woman. Rose’s pronouns are she/her/hers and they/them/their/theirs. She works as a model, actor, public speaker, makeup artist, advocate, and content creator.

Rose is also a board member of Aadya Rising, a nonprofit working to fill in the gaps to help the transgender community. She has been in campaigns and featured by TomboyX, Savage X Fenty, Yandy, FX Networks, New York City Pride, Planned Parenthood, and more. Their goal is to spread love and education about their community as they share their story.

********************

To follow Rose:

Advice

Am I the only gay man who doesn’t sleep around?

Seeking friend group less interested in drugs, partying

Published

9 months ago

on

August 21, 2022

By

Michael Radkowsky

Feeling isolated because your friends don’t share your values? Time for new friends.

Dear Michael,

I am a 22-year-old man and I am starting to hate being gay.

It’s not that I feel bad about being attracted to men. I would love to date a guy, get married, and spend my life with him. My problem is that the values of the gay men I am meeting have nothing to do with what I want in life.

Pretty much all I come across are guys who want to have sex with as many hot men as possible.

Relationships, commitment, and honesty don’t seem to mean anything, as far as I can tell. I’ve had guys in long-term relationships hit on me or propose threesomes with their partners. My ex-boyfriend was hooking up on Grindr multiple times per week after we had agreed to be exclusive. When I found out, he told me that it’s impossible for a gay guy not to sleep around.

What is it with gay men? Everyone seems to predominantly focus on sex. Whenever I go out to brunch with my gay friends, people are showing pictures and sometimes even X-rated videos of their latest hookups. Sex isn’t something special, just a recreational activity/competition.
None of my straight friends act anything remotely like this.

Also, pretty much every gay man I spend time with seems to love getting trashed. I’m not anti-alcohol but I don’t see the fun in getting completely drunk regularly. I’m wary of recreational drugs but guys around me use them nonchalantly all the time. What kind of connection can you have with people around you when all of you are drunk or high on something?

I’ve tried to talk with my gay friends about how I feel but they respond like I’m from another planet, as if I’m questioning why they want to breathe oxygen.

I just think there’s a lot more to life than hooking up, that people should treat each other as more than just potential sex partners, and that sleeping around when I’m in a relationship doesn’t make for a great relationship. But I seem to be the only gay man I know who feels this way.

I don’t want to live the kind of life I see all around me. But I worry that unless I give up my values, I’m going to be lonely.

Michael replies:

What kind of life will you have if you give up your values? Could you respect yourself or create a life that is meaningful and that you would enjoy?

We all face pressure to conform to those around us so that we will fit in. Doing so is understandable. As you describe, it can be lonely to be on the outside. But betraying who you actually are is a high price to pay for acceptance.

This is why people come out. And this is why, despite the peer pressure, you are the only person who should decide the kind of life you want to lead as a gay man.

There is little point in discussing the many possible reasons why many gay men dedicate so much time and energy to sex. Everyone is free to choose how they want to live and what they want to focus on. And this includes you.

You can’t change other people or a community. But I’m hopeful you can find a community of friends with whom you are a better fit. I know you are far from alone in feeling as you do, because I regularly hear stories similar to yours in my practice. So rather than settling, keep looking, and look beyond the ways in which you’ve made your social life so far. The friend group you develop may not be as large as your current circle of acquaintances. (Or it may be larger!) In any case, you’d likely find it far more nurturing, and a lot more fun, to spend time with others who are more like-minded.

It is not easy to feel like the odd man out. And when you want a different life from what most of your peers are seeking, it’s easy to doubt that you are OK. I’m sure you already know this from having grown up gay.

When we come out, we have the hope that we will finally have a real peer group and won’t feel so different anymore. But that’s not always the case. Gay men are not one homogenous group and many of us have to do some searching to find some people with whom we really connect.
You are doing important work in thinking about who you are and how you want to live. I hope you will make the choice to honor your time on earth by living it authentically.

Michael Radkowsky, Psy.D. is a licensed psychologist who works with gay couples and individuals in D.C. He can be found online at michaelradkowsky.com. All identifying information has been changed for reasons of confidentiality.

Advice

Trans 101 by Rose Montoya: Trans people deserve to play sports

Trans people, especially kids deserve to play sports. Trans kids deserve to participate in friendly competition, teamwork, & sportsmanship

Published

11 months ago

on

June 21, 2022

By

Los Angeles Blade graphic

The Los Angeles Blade featured columnist, Rosalynne Montoya, is back with her hugely popular ‘Trans 101′ 1 minute video shorts from Insta which offer tips, advice, and support for Trans people and solid information for Trans allies and others seeking answers.

By Rose Montoya | LOS ANGELES – On Sunday the international swimming federation (FINA) voted to restrict transgender athletes from competing in elite women’s aquatics competitions unless they have physically transitioned before the age of 12.

This is during a time where dozens of states in the USA are banning trans related healthcare to anyone under 19. Trans people, especially kids deserve to play sports. Trans minors deserve to participate in friendly competition, camaraderie, teamwork, and sportsmanship.

Trans people ,even Olympic athletes, are not dominating sports. The few successful trans athletes with major wins deserve them though because they’ve trained hard. Sports aren’t fair, that’s the point.

WATCH:

*********************

Rose, is a Hispanic, bisexual, nonbinary transgender woman. Rose’s pronouns are she/her/hers and they/them/their/theirs. She works as a model, actor, public speaker, makeup artist, advocate, and content creator.

Rose is also a board member of Aadya Rising, a nonprofit working to fill in the gaps to help the transgender community. She has been in campaigns and featured by TomboyX, Savage X Fenty, Yandy, FX Networks, New York City Pride, Planned Parenthood, and more. Their goal is to spread love and education about their community as they share their story.

********************

To follow Rose:

Instagram.com/RosalynneMontoya

Advice

Trans 101 by Rose Montoya: How to Be an Ally to Trans People

The Los Angeles Blade is pleased to present our new featured advice columnist Rosalynne Montoya who offers advice & support for Trans people

Published

2 years ago

on

November 22, 2021

By

Editor’s note; The Los Angeles Blade is pleased to present our new featured columnist, Rosalynne Montoya, whose hugely popular ‘Trans 101′ 1 minute video shorts on Instagram offers tips, advice, and support for Trans people and solid information for Trans allies and others seeking answers.

By Rose Montoya | PHOENIX – Trans awareness week is over, but the trans community needs you to show up for us every single day of the year. We need your allyship today and always: -respect our names, pronouns, and identities https://thetrans101.com/pronouns -believe and support trans youth htps://www.thetrans101.com/transyouth -vote in favor of trans rights https://www.thetrans101.com/bills -sign petitions in favor of our rights https://www.thetrans101.com/action -listen to our voices https://www.thetrans101.com -follow us and interact with our content.

AND SHARE THIS VIDEO -also follow: @ashleemariepreston @therealtsmadison @kaydenxofficial @pinkmantaray @madisonwerner @munroebergdorf @raquel_willis @chasestrangio @mx.deran Thanks for watching!

*********************

Rose, is a Hispanic, bisexual, nonbinary transgender woman. Rose’s pronouns are she/her/hers and they/them/their/theirs. She works as a model, actor, public speaker, makeup artist, advocate, and content creator.

Rose is also a board member of Aadya Rising, a nonprofit working to fill in the gaps to help the transgender community. She has been in campaigns and featured by TomboyX, Savage X Fenty, Yandy, FX Networks, New York City Pride, Planned Parenthood, and more. Their goal is to spread love and education about their community as they share their story.

********************

To follow Rose:

RosalynneMontoya.com

TheTrans101.com

Instagram.com/RosalynneMontoya

TikTok.com/RosalynneMontoya

Advice

Trans 101 by Rose Montoya: Channel Pain Into Action

The Los Angeles Blade is pleased to present our new featured advice columnist Rosalynne Montoya who offers advice & support for Trans people

Published

2 years ago

on

November 20, 2021

By

Editor’s note; The Los Angeles Blade is pleased to present our new featured columnist, Rosalynne Montoya, whose hugely popular ‘Trans 101′ 1 minute video shorts on Instagram offers tips, advice, and support for Trans people and solid information for Trans allies and others seeking answers.

By Rose Montoya | PHOENIX – Happy #TransAwarenessWeek. While it has been a very challenging year to be trans with record breaking anti-trans bills, record breaking violence against us, high rates of discrimination, unemployment, and homelessness, we are still here fighting. We will never back down when it comes to our rights.

Trans people are resilient and strong especially when we ban together. It’s okay to take time to mourn and rest. Take your time to make sure you’re safe. Then channel your hurt in a healthy way by taking action. One such way is by going to: https://www.RosalynneMontoya.com/acti… to contact your representatives, sign petitions, and, donate to trans organizations.

Sending all of you so much love. Never forget that you are worthy of and deserving of equal rights, safety, employment, housing, and happiness.

*********************

Rose, is a Hispanic, bisexual, nonbinary transgender woman. Rose’s pronouns are she/her/hers and they/them/their/theirs. She works as a model, actor, public speaker, makeup artist, advocate, and content creator.

Rose is also a board member of Aadya Rising, a nonprofit working to fill in the gaps to help the transgender community. She has been in campaigns and featured by TomboyX, Savage X Fenty, Yandy, FX Networks, New York City Pride, Planned Parenthood, and more. Their goal is to spread love and education about their community as they share their story.

********************

To follow Rose:

RosalynneMontoya.com

TheTrans101.com

Instagram.com/RosalynneMontoya

TikTok.com/RosalynneMontoya

Advice

Trans 101 by Rose Montoya: Trans Day of Remembrance (TDOR)

The Los Angeles Blade is pleased to present our new featured advice columnist Rosalynne Montoya who offers advice & support for Trans people

Published

2 years ago

on

November 19, 2021

By

Editor’s note; The Los Angeles Blade is pleased to present our new featured columnist, Rosalynne Montoya, whose hugely popular ‘Trans 101′ 1 minute video shorts on Instagram offers tips, advice, and support for Trans people and solid information for Trans allies and others seeking answers.

By Rose Montoya | PHOENIX – Happy #TransAwarenessWeek. Trans Day of Remembrance is observed every Nov 20th. This is a day to honor the lives lost due to violence against the trans community. According the @williamsins at @ucla trans people are 4 times more likely to be a victim of a violent crime. 2021 is unfortunately already the deadliest year on record with at least 46 trans victims, mostly black trans women.

********************

Rose, is a Hispanic, bisexual, nonbinary transgender woman. Rose’s pronouns are she/her/hers and they/them/their/theirs. She works as a model, actor, public speaker, makeup artist, advocate, and content creator.

Rose is also a board member of Aadya Rising, a nonprofit working to fill in the gaps to help the transgender community. She has been in campaigns and featured by TomboyX, Savage X Fenty, Yandy, FX Networks, New York City Pride, Planned Parenthood, and more. Their goal is to spread love and education about their community as they share their story.

********************

To follow Rose:

RosalynneMontoya.com

TheTrans101.com

Instagram.com/RosalynneMontoya

TikTok.com/RosalynneMontoya

Advice

Trans 101 by Rose Montoya: Trans Homelessness Rates Are Higher

The Los Angeles Blade is pleased to present our new featured advice columnist Rosalynne Montoya who offers advice & support for Trans people

Published

2 years ago

on

November 18, 2021

By