Star of the Netflix drama Orange is the New Black, Laverne Cox has made a name for herself in mainstream media. Being the first transgender woman of color to star in a popular scripted series as well as appear on reality television such I Wanna Work for Diddy, and produce her own show on VH1 TRANSForm Me.
Growing up in Mobile, AL it was difficult for Laverne to be accepted as she wanted to be. It was not until she moved to New York, she came out to the world as a transgender woman. She was raised by her mother and has a twin brother. Growing up, she says she saw no difference in gender and knew she wanted to be a girl.
Today she stands as a proud transgender woman living her dreams she tells Time Magazine. She is an advocate for the LBGT community and has appeared on a number of major outlets sharing her story and politicking for the legal rights of the LBGT community. Apart from that, she is an actress, writer, and speaker. Although she is proud of who she is, she still has everyday struggles dealing with her past, present and the society in which we live.
Laverne Cox covers the latest issue of Time Magazine where she discusses a number of things such as growing up, being accepted, and sitting in church being told liking men was a sin. The cover story titles "The Transgender Tipping Point," which symbolizes a new time period in America where transgender persons will be accepted in society, just as if they were born the way they currently are.
This topic is so controversial. I'm sure many will hate the cover and the idea of fighting for the civil rights of transgender individuals. Laverne Cox is an extremely brave individual to take her position and flaunt in it! In 2014, the world still rejects the LBGT community just as racism, sexism, and classism are still very much alive. The US has come a long way in accepting gay and lesbian individuals in society, but is still sensitive to transgender persons.
A person does and should have the freedom to be who they want to be, but must be aware of the discrimination, negative comments, rejection, mean stares, etc. that comes with being "different." A person with lots of tattoos and piercings or a black man with dreads (and tattoos), a black woman with big natural hair, and a gay man being drafted to the NFL are just as easily rejected from corporate society just as a transgender can be. So does it make us that different? While the idea of being transgender and homosexual define toy still brings lots of discomfort to many, many are supportive. Congratulations to Laverne Cox on all of her success.
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