(Photo by Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images)

Orange is the New Black star Ruby Rose has been hit with abuse after donating to a Texas LGBT centre.

The actress gave $10,000 of her money to the LGBT outlet in the wake of Hurricane Harvey, which has displaced thousands of families.

14 people have so far been killed by the hurricane and flooding, which has ruined areas of America’s fourth largest city, Houston.

But social media users swiftly criticised the actress for her generous donation – asking why she supposedly only offered to help LGBT people.

Ruby offered to match the donation of musician Jack Antonoff, who donated $10,000 to the Montrose LGBT Centre.

She wrote: “I’m going to match Jack and eat a banana while I donate 10 k to the LGBT centre in Houston also.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/BYYygAJHQjP/?hl=en&taken-by=rubyrose

Commenters soon began attacking the OITNB star, with one writing: “This is sad… helping only one group. When the entire city needs help”.

Another posted a nasty attack, writing: “So you are only willing to help out gay people suffering from the floods in Houston?!?!

“You are a disgusting human being.”

But Ruby, who has previously opened up about considering gender reassignment, hit back at critics.

In a long response posted to Instagram, she explained that the donation to the LGBT centre goes a lot further than what people might think.

She also pointed out that there’s a very important reason such places exist – because so many other outlets have historically turned away LGBT people.

“I don’t agree with the wording or personal attacks but I can understand the confusion if you are not aware of what these centers do,” the star posted next to an image containing more detail about the organisation.

RELATED: Ruby Rose says she is empowered by her sexuality

She explained: “The LGBT center does not just help LGBT members in a crisis like, it does not discriminate people in need based on gender, sexuality, race or religion.

“It is one of the most inclusive organisations I can think of. It is not as though they check how gay you are on entry.

“Unfortunately many organisations have in the past denied entry to people based on the above, however I am extremely proud to hear that Texans have joined forces in such a beautiful, heart warming way,” she wrote.

Ruby also added that it is “more rewarding” to donate in private.

https://twitter.com/RubyRose/status/902614973351772160

RELATED: Trump accused of using Hurricane Harvey to distract from trans troop ban

Chat show host Ellen DeGeneres also gave her support to those affected by Hurricane Harvey in a new video shared on Twitter.

Ellen revealed that she has been so moved by the natural disaster that she is donating $50,000 of her own money to the Red Cross and charity SPCA in a bid to help victims.

The Ellen Show is donating an additional $25,000 to help Red Cross efforts.