Laverne Cox: The Transgender Tipping Point Turns 10
"I'm done debating whether trans is real. I'm real. I'm sitting here."
It's easy to forget how different things were in 2013 when Orange Is The New Black premiered. At the time, representation for trans people on TV and film was almost nonexistent, most often featuring cis actors in trans roles.
Then came Orange Is The New Black, the show that introduced Laverne Cox to the world and set her on the path to becoming one of the most recognizable trans people in the world.
This week marks the 10th anniversary of her historic Time magazine cover. She was the first trans person to appear on the cover in the magazine's 90+ year history.
"The Transgender Tipping Point" the infamous headline read — but tipping point for what? For awareness, I would argue, not necessarily acceptance.
Trans visibility has skyrocketed since 2013, but so has the backlash. There have been over 500 anti-trans bills introduced in state houses across the U.S. so far this year; many have been signed into law, restricting trans kids' access to healthcare and their ability to use the correct bathroom. It’s important to remember both truths about this moment: We have made a tremendous amount of progress in the last ten years. And at the same time, there is still a massive amount of work to be done.
I spoke to Laverne a couple of years ago about her Time cover and wanted to share the conversation today in honor of its anniversary. We also speak about how much has changed for trans people since then, the pressure she faces as one of the most visible members of the trans community, and the impact of the Bostock v. Clayton County Supreme Court case with Aimee Stephens.
Thank you for listening.
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I hope you’re enjoying Pride, however you wish to celebrate it. For me, I made dinner after work last Friday and passed out before 10:00 PM. It was wonderful.
See you next week. We’ll be back with a Stonewall Veteran.
Much love,
Jeffrey @jeffmasters1
🏳️🌈
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