About me
Laith Ashley (he/him) is a pioneering transgender activist, model, actor, and entertainer whose advocacy work has fundamentally transformed visibility and representation for transgender communities, particularly transgender men of color. Born July 6, 1989, and raised in a Dominican American household in Harlem, New York, his journey as an activist began through his own courageous process of coming out and transitioning in the public eye.
Laith's activism is rooted in lived experience and professional dedication to LGBTQ+ communities. Before his modeling career, he worked as a social worker at Callen-Lorde Community Health Center, providing direct support to LGBT homeless youth. This foundation in community service continues to inform his advocacy approach, which emphasizes the humanity and complexity of transgender experiences beyond transition narratives.
His breakthrough moment as an activist came in 2015 when he posted transition photos on Instagram that went viral, initially attracting negative attention before being amplified by Laverne Cox. Rather than retreating from public scrutiny, Laith transformed this visibility into a powerful platform for transgender advocacy, becoming the first transgender man featured in major campaigns for Diesel, Calvin Klein, and Barneys while consistently centering activism within his professional work.
Through his collaboration with organizations like FLUX (a division of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation), Laith focuses on raising awareness and providing support to trans and gender-nonconforming people. He actively participates in Pride events nationwide and has become a leading voice addressing the intersection of transphobia, racism, and the unique challenges facing transgender people of color.
His activism extends to challenging industry standards and creating opportunities for other transgender individuals. His historic appearance as the first transgender member of RuPaul's Drag Race Pit Crew and his starring role in Taylor Swift's "Lavender Haze" music video demonstrate how he leverages mainstream visibility to advance transgender representation.
Laith's advocacy philosophy centers on the principle that transgender people are "people just like everyone else" while acknowledging the unique challenges they face. Through high-profile campaigns with T-Mobile, AT&T, and GLAAD, he has consistently used his platform to educate about transgender experiences while advocating for dignity, respect, and authentic representation across all media and social contexts.
