US Professor Dr. Ronnie Gladden Identifies as White Woman Despite Being Born Black Male

 

Dr. Ronnie Gladden, a U.S.-based public speaker, actor, tenured professor, and author, has publicly shared that he identifies as a white woman, though he was born a Black male. Gladden, who teaches English at Cincinnati State Technical and Community College, has been open about embracing what he describes as a "transracial" identity, stating that his journey to this identity began in early childhood.

Raised on Cincinnati's West Side, Gladden recalled feeling drawn to symbols of femininity and white identity, such as Disney’s Snow White and the lifestyle in Pride and Prejudice. In his youth, he dreamed of tanning in the sun and having blonde hair that lightened in the summer, envisioning a life similar to the aesthetic he admired. However, as a Black male in a predominantly Black neighborhood, these aspirations seemed out of reach.

Now an established professor and author, Dr. Gladden identifies as a “transracial” individual, a term that refers to someone who is both transgender and identifies across racial lines. Gladden, who uses they/them pronouns, claims to have felt a deep-seated connection to white female characteristics since pre-school. He expressed a strong affinity for aspects of white femininity, including hair texture, skin complexion, and social behavior, which he shared during a TEDx talk, describing himself as feeling he had “a white girl within.”

Dr. Gladden's beliefs rest on the idea that race is a social construct. In his writing, he elaborates on the concept that race is less about biology and more about how society perceives individuals. "I know race is not real," he writes, explaining that societal perceptions largely shape racial identity.

Over the years, Gladden has undergone some physical modifications, including a nose job at age 19 and lighter-toned foundation, to align his outward appearance with his inner identity, though he acknowledges his physical features remain noticeably Black. He recently spoke with BBC Radio 4, explaining that while his complexion and hair are outward markers of his Black identity, he views these as reflections of his mind rather than fixed indicators of his identity.

Reflecting on his journey, Gladden noted that he has long identified with prominent female figures, from Kimmy Gibler in Full House to actress Anne Hathaway. Despite facing challenges, he described these feelings as “insistent, consistent, and persistent” throughout his life, concluding that embracing his white female identity has been a necessary, albeit complex, part of his personal and professional journey.

Dr. Gladden’s journey raises discussions around race, gender, and identity, sparking conversations about the nature of racial constructs and how individuals perceive and define themselves in a diverse society.