Ruby Rose opens up about her queer icons
Ruby Rose, who was recently cast as lesbian superhero Batwoman, has shared a video in which she opens up about her queer icons, including Angelina Jolie and Ellen DeGeneres.
The gender-fluid actor, who is openly gay, shared the a snippet of the video on her Instagram account on Saturday (August 18), which was made by LGBT+ publication Them.
In the clip, Rose says: “So, growing up, there wasn’t as many gay, queer, lesbian icons are there are today. And I’m so glad there are so many more.”
She continues: “Angelina Jolie came out as bisexual. That was a great one, I was so stoked.”
Rose went on to discuss an incident where Jolie reportedly said she was “most likely to sleep with my female fans,” after she questioned by reporters when she won an award for being the “most beautiful” person alive.
The actor said of Jolie’s remarks: “I just loved the way she said it, like it was nothing. And, of course it was something to me, and it was something to a lot of people. But for her it was just a throwaway comment.”
Rose even jokingly said: “She could be a penguin and I’d be like, “Gay. I am a gay penguin now.'”
In the full video, posted by Them on YouTube, Rose also discusses her other queer icons, including Ellen DeGeneres and Annie Lennox.
She says that, growing up, Lennox was the “big one because she showed me what androgyny was and how to be unapologetic about the way you look, the way you act, and the way you’re just yourself.”
Later in the video, Rose says: “I wouldn’t want to stand her and say that [LGBT+] kids being born now or being born five, 10 years ago, are not going to encounter a struggle.”
She adds: “I don’t think that [discrimination] is going to be erased entirely in the next five years, 10 years or 20 years. I think we’re on the right path and I think it’s amazing and I feel blessed because I haven’t been through what the people before me went through, and I know the people after me will say the same thing.
“It’s just going to keep being a work in progress.”
Watch the video below:
Rose recently deleted her Twitter account, after hitting back at “hurtful” criticism of her casting as lesbian superhero Batwoman.
The former Orange is the New Black star announced last Tuesday that she is set to play the superhero in an upcoming TV series.
The live-action version of Batwoman will debut on existing CW superhero shows Arrow, Supergirl and The Flash, before kick-starting her own solo series.
Ruby Rose (LISA O’CONNOR/AFP/Getty)
But the casting was met with a mixed reaction from fans.
Some social media users complained about the choice, listing other actors they would have liked to see in the part.
Rose appeared visibly upset about the negative responses, hitting back at critics repeatedly, before quitting Twitter.
Rose previously wrote: “I wish we would all support each other and our journeys.
“When women and when minorities join forces we are unstoppable.. when we tear each other down it’s much more hurtful than from any group. But hey I love a challenge x.”
(Photo by DC Comics)
She added: “I just wish women and the LGBT community supported each other more. (…) My wish was we were all a little kinder and more supportive of each other.”
The star continued: “Sending everyone my love and gratitude, it’s been a rollercoaster of a year, this month especially.
“I am looking forward to getting more than 4 hours of sleep and to break from Twitter to focus all my energy on my next 2 projects.
“If you need me, I’ll be on my Bat Phone. ”
Ruby Rose (Getty)
In a previous statement announcing her new role, Rose said: “The Bat is out of the bag and I am beyond thrilled and honoured. I’m also an emotional wreck because this is a childhood dream.
“This is something I would have died to have seen on TV when I was a young member of the LGBT community who never felt represented on TV and felt alone and different.
“Thank you everyone. Thank you god.”
The version of Batwoman headed to TV screens is set to remain true to her comics portrayal, where Batwoman has been an out lesbian since 2006.
Prolific producer Greg Berlanti – who has overseen numerous CW shows, as well as hit film Love, Simon – will executive produce the new show.
Ruby Rose (Emma McIntyre/Getty)
The CW superhero universe is growing significantly, with trans actress Nicole Maines set to play TV’s first transgender superhero on CW show Supergirl.
Animated series The Ray also featured a gay lead.
The diversity within the CW universe stands in stark contrast with the total lack of LGBT characters in blockbuster superhero films.
