“I am a person of color, working-class, born to a single mother, but I stand before you tonight an artist, an actress and a sister and a daughter, and
I believe that it is important to name the multiple parts of my identity because
I am not just one thing, and neither are you.”
- Name: Laverne Cox
- Born: May 29, 1972
- From: Mobile, AL
- Pronouns: She/her
- Contribution/Impact: Cox is the first transgender person to be nominated for an Emmy Award and is a staunch LGBTQ+ Advocate. She is considered as trailblazer in the transgender community as her prominence in Hollywood and media has led to growing conversation about transgender culture.
- Occupation: Actress, Artist
- Known For: Orange is the New Black (2013), Laverne Cox Presents: The T Word (2014), Charlie’s Angels (2019)
- Awards: Nominated for Emmy Award in 2014 for Orange is the New Black, Won Emmy Award in 2015 for The T Word.
Laverne Cox is a transgender woman who was the first transgender person to ever win an Emmy Award in any acting category. She is a documentary film producer and an equal rights activist. Cox is best known for being in Orange is the New Black and her documentary Laverne Cox Presents: The T Word. Cox went through many hurdles to get to where she is today in Hollywood. As a transgender woman, it was hard for her to get casted an any role. She was at first type casted into specific roles that were sexist and racist tropes. Many scripts and directors did not know or want to deal with a transgender person. Saddening as this may be, she kept going and now her presence in Hollywood is outstanding.
Handout
To download the Handout:
- Click on the image
- Right-click and select Save Image As…
- Decorate and personalize the empty space in the image.
- Cut out and use for a selfie to share on our social media page.
- Download a card and envelope template and write about an idea this leader inspires.
- Check out The Attic for more resources and events for Philadelphia’s LGBT+ youth!
This ASI Special event is an ongoing volunteer-led project made by people like you, using multiple educational sources regularly being revised and updated. We would love your assistance if you or your group would like to get involved, learn more here.