(November 28th, 1980 – ): Born in #Kenosha, #Wisconsin, #AngelicaRoss is no stranger to any, especially after starring in the hit show #Pose. A #transgender rights advocate, she uses her platform to shine a light on the myriad issues transgender people face in today’s society.
Growing up, she was not accepted by her mother, an evangelical Christian. Coming out as gay at the age of 17, she was told that she should commit suicide or that her mother would commit suicide because she “couldn’t have someone like [Angelica] as her child.” Surviving a suicide attempt, she graduated high school and (after dropping out of college) joined the #USNavy. After six months of service in Rochester, New York, and then in Japan, she requested and received an “uncharacterized” discharge under the then-in-place “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” policy, suffering harassment by fellow servicemen who coerced her into saying she was gay.
Only a few years later, Ross moved back home and was accepted by her friend and local drag queen, Traci Ross, who helped her better understand who she was and helped her with her gender transition. After being completely disowned by her mother post-transition, Ross moved in with her father in Virginia. There she worked as a waitress and attended cosmetology school, all before moving to Florida where she started a web development and graphic design business (being a self-taught computer programmer) and took acting classes.
After guest-starring in a few TV shows, she made a splash on the FX series Pose, playing #CandyFerocity. This eventually led to larger roles and even a #Broadway debut as #RoxieHart in #Chicago, the first trans woman to play a leading role on Broadway.
In 2023, Ross stated she had suffered mistreatment in Hollywood as a trans actress and was moving back to Georgia to run for public office. She currently serves as CEO of TransTech Social Enterprises, helping transgender people in the tech industry.
#LGBTQIA #PrideMonth #YouCannotEraseUs
Legends of Pride 