GLAAD Honoree Ruby Rose

OITNB star to receive prestigious Stephen F. Kolzak Award

"Orange Is The New Black" sensation Ruby Rose garners more than just acting accolades (and countless crushes): This year, GLAAD (Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) will honor her at their star-studded 27th annual Media Awards. GLAAD, the world’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender media advocacy organization, has brought the achievements of LGBT individuals and allies to light for over 30 years. For the first time in almost a decade, the organization’s always-anticipated awards ceremony will be televised, in a one hour special premiering Monday, April 4, at 10pm ET/PT on the Logo network.

Rose is slated to take home GLAAD’s Stephen F. Kolzak Award, which recognizes the actress’ promotion of equality, acceptance and visibility—and her subsequent positive impact on the community. GLAAD President & CEO Sarah Kate Ellis says, “Ruby Rose is captivating audiences across the world, using her voice to transform conversations about gender and inclusion.” In the past, GLAAD has presented this award to myriad movers and shakers, including Sir Ian McKellen, Ellen DeGeneres and Melissa Etheridge. The honor was originally conceptualized for its namesake, a casting director who dedicated the later years of his life to raising awareness about discrimination faced by LGBT and HIV-positive people in the entertainment industry.

Rose initially caught the mainstream media’s attention with her role in the Primetime Emmy Award-winning Netflix series, "Orange Is The New Black." Many viewers find it refreshing to see a lesbian icon such as Rose playing the role of Stella, the love interest of the show’s leading lady, Piper (Taylor Schilling). In openly identifying as lesbian and gender fluid, Rose helps give society a better understanding of gender identity by lending a face to gender fluidity and embodying alternatives to the gender binary. In addition to her role in this hit series, Rose currently has multiple projects in the works, including the film "Break Free," which she wrote, starred in and produced. The short film—a tribute to gender non-conforming people—saw significant success and received over 17 million views on YouTube. In addition to Rose’s film and TV contributions, she expresses herself in a variety of other endeavors, such as modeling and DJing. Rose’s face has recently graced the pages of magazine greats such as Elle, Vogue, InStyle and GQ.

With so many accomplishments under her belt, it would be easy to simply focus on her career; instead, Rose continues to accelerate her momentum in advocacy work, giving the strength of her voice to passionately support transgender and gender non-conforming people, and to support women’s rights and animal welfare.


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