Laverne Cox: Fighting for LGBTQ+ Rights

February is Black History month; it was only fitting to choose Laverne Cox for my women warrior. She is a transgender woman of color who is a LGBTQ+ activist. Laverne knew she wanted to be a performer her whole life. She had been studying dance since she was 8 years old growing up in Mobile, Alabama. She was performing in dance recitals and talent shows since third grade. Her childhood was filled of dreams of being famous and performing and acting. For a brief overview of her background click here.

Laverne Cox went to Alabama School of Fine Arts on a scholarship for dance. She then continued her education with a dance scholarship to Indiana University at Bloomington. Laverne then transferred to Marymount Manhattan College where she graduated with a Bachelors of Fine Arts degree in dance. During her time at Marymount a guest teacher saw her in the hall and thought she was perfect for a role in the play they were doing. This is what sparked her interest in acting, it was frown upon being a dance major and acting but she never followed the rules.  

Laverne had started her medical transition during her college years. to fulfill her desires of performing she would perform as a drag queen even though she didn't see herself as a drag queen. When she started acting as a career, she wouldn't lead her auditions with being transgender cause she believes she should lead with her talent rather than being transgender, but she admits it was because she still had shame about it. It wasn't until 2007 when Candis Cayne had a lead role on prime-time television. Seeing a transgender person had a recurring lead role gave Laverne the confidence and realization that it can be done. Her first appearance on television was on Law and Order and this is what sparked her career. She is now most famously known for her role on "Orange is The New Black."

Laverne uses her visibility in the media to bring awareness to all sorts of issues involving LGBTQ+ communities. She is involved in National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs (NCAVP), they advocate for preventing violence towards LGBTQ+ communities. They investigate systemic factors towards why these situations may be causing many members of the LGBTQ+ community are becoming homeless. To find out more information about the NCAVP click here. Back in 2014 Laverne Cox spoke at the Creating change conference to watch that and learn more about her cause click here. Among other issues involving LGBTQ+ communities, you'll always see Laverne Cox speaking up for those who don't have the ability to.

Works Cited 

About + BIO ⋆ Laverne Cox. lavernecox.com/about/.

“An Evening of Activism with Laverne Cox.” Center for Constitutional Rights, 2 Aug. 2019, ccrjustice.org/home/blog/2019/08/02/evening-activism-laverne-cox.

Riley, Jenelle. “Laverne Cox Changes the Narrative Around LGBTQ Communities.” Variety, Variety, 11 Oct. 2016, variety.com/2016/tv/news/laverne-cox-lgbtq-national-coalition-of-anti-violence-programs-1201883997/.