Rose Montoya is an American model, social media content creator and transgender rights activist.
She began modeling in 2018, and has since modeled for Fenty Beauty, Savage X Fenty, Fluide, Yandy.com, Adore Me and TOMS Shoes.
Montoya, who is a non-binary transgender woman, was featured in 18 LGBTQ+ Policy Makers and Advocates Changing the World by Out Magazine in 2021.
In 2022, she was nominated for Favorite TikToker at the 10th annual Queerty Awards.
Montoya has spoken publicly about gender-affirming surgeries she underwent, including a breast augmentation, a trachea shave and a genioplasty.
She has also opened up about her experiences living with chronic anxiety and depression.
For instance, in March 2021, Montoya had a difficult experience with the Transportation Security Administration at an airport in Phoenix, Arizona.
A TikTok video about it received over twenty million views.
Montoya said her documentation recognizes her as female, but airport scanners, which categorize travelers as male or female due to genitalia, set off alarms.
After disclosing to the TSA attendant that she is transgender, the agent asked if Montoya would prefer to be scanned as a man instead.
Montoya stated that then, after triggering the alarm again, the TSA tried to assign a male agent to pat her down despite her being a trans woman.
Rose Montoya before surgery
Montoya has undergone surgeries to aid her transition, including breast augmentation, trachea shave and genioplasty.
Despite the controversy surrounding her White House appearance, Montoya continues to be an influential figure in the transgender community.
She uses her platform to promote inclusivity and raise awareness about transgender rights and experiences.
Here are photos of Montoya before surgery;