Gender identity is a person’s private sense of their own gender. In all societies there is a basic division between gender attributes assigned to males and females. For a lot of people it can be pretty simple. A biological male can be completely comfortable being categorised in all aspects assigned to men. For many others however, it’s not as straight forward. People can identify anywhere along the gender spectrum. This can mean the opposite sex, or anywhere in between the two sexes. Repression can arise when society reacts offensively or inappropriately to a person’s display of their unique gender identity. Whether rooted in ignorance or discrimination, it is this reaction which is becoming a much discussed topic among those who are affected by it.

Australian model, DJ and LGBT spokesperson Ruby Rose recently released a short film which focused on this subject of gender identities. Rose is known for genderbending, and in her own words, it’s a ‘short film about gender roles, Trans, and what it is like to have an identity that deviates from the status quo’.

There is no doubt that Rose is a beautiful person. In response to the video, there have been countless messages of support and love. But as we could cynically predict, not all reaction has been positive. Some people have commented that she ‘looks better’ at the beginning when she portrays a more socially acceptable feminine identity. I’ve even heard one person say that she ‘ruined herself by cutting off her hair and stuff’. Now whether they missed the entire point of the video or not is questionable, because it’s unfathomable to me how one could think that the awkward, clearly uncomfortable Rose, ‘ruined herself’ by embracing the androgynous identity at the end which she clearly feels comfortable with. It showed me that there are people in society who would rather see someone portray and live in an identity they do not hold but it socially acceptable, rather than #breakfree and live the identity that they truly possess.

What I found worst of all was that this opinion came from a member of the LGBT community. I don’t know why that should be worse than if the opinion came from a straight person. Perhaps it’s because LGBT discrimination usually comes from those outside the community. I find it uncomfortable and hypocritical to experience it coming from someone within, who is all too familiar with certain societal restraints impressed on those who identify as LGBT. Rose obviously picked up on this herself as she posted the following on her Facebook page:

“You know what needs to stop just as much as homophobia, bullying within the LGBT Community… A ‘bisexual’ isn’t just greedy.. ‘Pansexual’ exists and isn’t a cop out.. ‘Straight’ people can be gay huge advocates and blessings to the community… you can identify as trans without surgery, you can be gender fluid… in fact guess what… you can be whoever you are and like whoever you like and WE should spread the love and acceptance we constantly say we don’t receive. I will delete any inter fan/follower bullying.. because its so backwards and does not belong on my page.”

We have an ongoing struggle in this world for equality and acceptance in the lives of LGBT people. But if we have discrimination within the community, how can we hope to eliminate discrimination from outside it? I applaud Rose for her brave portrayal of a sensitive topic. I hope that it generates recognition and acceptance for anyone who relates to her story. I already know of one person who has been inspired, and so at least for that Ruby, I am grateful.