Welcome to the Evolving Folks Project’s Evolved Woman of the Week profile. Each week, we will highlight an individual who embodies what it means to be an evolved person, famous and non-famous alike. The world needs to know their stories and deeds. The week’s honor goes to the American actress, businesswoman, veteran, and trans rights advocate, Angelica Ross.
Angelica Ross began acting with the 2016 web series Her Story, later earning praise for her roles in FX’s Pose (2018–21) and American Horror Story (2019–21). She earned critical acclaim for roles in Pose and American Horror Story, breaking ground as the first openly transgender woman to lead on Broadway in Chicago, and founded TransTech Social Enterprises to support transgender people in tech. A recognized activist for transgender, racial, and human rights, she became communications director for Green Party gubernatorial candidate Butch Ware in California in 2026.
Born in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on November 28, 1980, Angelica Ross grew up in Racine. Early in life, she was seen as feminine. In 1998, at 17, she came out as gay to her evangelical Christian mother, who responded harshly and told her to end her life or she would. This led Ross to survive an overdose while experiencing suicidal thoughts.
Shortly after these challenging experiences, and after finishing high school at 17, Ross briefly attended the University of Wisconsin–Parkside, leaving after one semester. Seeking new opportunities, she enlisted in the U.S. Navy, hoping to qualify for the G.I. Bill. She underwent training in Rochester, New York, and was assigned to a naval base in Yokosuka, Japan. However, after six months, she received an “uncharacterized” discharge under “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” after being harassed and pressured to admit she was gay.
Ross befriended Traci Ross, who supported her transition at 19. After being evicted by her mother, she moved to Roanoke, Virginia, to live with her father and later reconciled with her parents. In Roanoke, she worked for 6 years, saving for rent and cosmetology school, and then relocated to Hollywood, Florida, where she worked as a model, escort, and web manager. She went on to start a web development business, take acting classes, and eventually became the employment coordinator at Chicago’s Trans Life Center.
Here is Angelica Ross in her own words about allyship:
Stop waiting to be told exactly what to do and start being uncomfortable on purpose. Allyship that only activates when it’s easy or popular isn’t allyship, it’s optics. Show up in the rooms where trans people aren’t present and say something. Challenge your own institutions. If your company quietly scrubbed its DEI language to avoid federal scrutiny, say something. If your church, your school board, or your neighborhood association is silent on anti-trans legislation, say something. Invest directly in trans-led organizations. Not just the big, well-branded ones, but the grassroots ones, the Black trans-led ones, the ones operating where visibility is most dangerous, and resources are most scarce. Money is allyship. Time is allyship. Using your privilege as a shield so someone else doesn’t have to take every blow—that is allyship.
We don’t need your sympathy. We need your solidarity.
As a fan of Pose, I first discovered Angelica Ross and have followed her career since. Her journey spans acting, business, and activism. The Evolving Folks Project wishes her continued success and supports her LGBTQ advocacy—especially vital today, as rights are under threat and the most vulnerable face ongoing discrimination. We honor Angelica Ross as our Evolved Woman of the Week.
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