Laverne Cox is one of the most famous actors in Hollywood. With her role as “Sophia” in the Netflix hit “Orange Is The New Black” she made history as the first trans * woman to be nominated for an “Emmy”.
Activist, actress, podcaster and much more … Laverne Cox, 49, is unstoppable. As the face of the “SodaStream” Pride campaign, she sends an important message with an emotional video. In an interview with BRIGITTE.de Laverne speaks about her life and the challenges as a black trans * woman in today’s world.
Laverne Cox in a BRIGITTE interview
BRIGITTE: In the heartwarming video of the “SodaStream” Pride campaign, you are portrayed as a superhero. Do you feel like a superhero in real life too, when you think about how many people you inspire?
Laverne Cox: No, not really. For me the campaign is about being the super hero of my own life. About being the people we want to see in the world. So it’s less about me and more about the superhero who exists in all of us and can change the world.
“I always knew that my life would be a rainbow story, the world just had to follow suit,” says the clip – a statement full of hope and faith. Have you always been a hopeful person?
Yes! I believe in a force that is greater than myself. Of course, I’ve had moments when I lost hope or doubted it. But I know now that it was all God’s timing and not mine. It took me a long time to live my dreams. The rainbow story of the “SodaStream” campaign is about the following: I’m still the same person as I was before. I have even become more and more myself. Understanding and space were created that allowed trans * people to blossom. We must not give up and we have to make sure that everyone has access to this very life.
Laverne Cox: “My Emmy nomination enabled others to live their dream”
They are part of the Netflix documentary “Disclosure”, which deals with the discriminatory portrayal of the trans * community in the media and film industry. So your role as “Sophia” in “Orange Is The New Black” and her Emmy nomination must have been something very emotional for you. What was going on in you as you realized the impact all of this was having on your community and the whole world?
Then and now I thought and still think that it’s not about me. It is about an entire population group whose humanity has been degraded for a very long time. My Emmy nomination enabled other trans * people to live their dreams, tell stories and lead authentic lives. Of course, I was very touched by everything that happened, but I am more interested in the possibilities all of this opened up for other trans * people.
I want to enable every person to be completely themselves.
You are an inspiration and a role model for so many people. That means a lot of responsibility. Do you sometimes feel pressured when you think about it?
I always prefer the word “Possibility-Model” [dt. Möglichkeits-Model, Anm. d. Red.] instead of the classic English word “Rolemodel” [dt. Vorbild, Anm. d. Red.]. Of course I’ve felt the pressure over the years, but I’m trying to let that go. It helps me to know that there are other trans * people with platforms of similar size who tell their stories. Fortunately, not everything is on my shoulders. We master everything together. Yes, there is pressure, but currently I am filled with love and appreciation for my life and that of other trans * people. Every time I become aware of this, the burden immediately feels lighter.
Traumatizing event on the streets of Los Angeles
In the past, and especially at the beginning of your transformation, there have been many situations in which you have been discriminated against. You are now an award-winning and well-known actress. Has the way strangers treat you changed?
When I was walking the streets of Los Angeles with a friend last November, a man came by and questioned my gender. When my friend said to leave, he struck. It was in the middle of the pandemic, so we were wearing masks. That was a moment when I wasn’t perceived as Laverne Cox, but simply as a trans * woman. Although I am a well-known actress and many people recognize me, I am exposed to the same situations in everyday life as many other people who are trans. It was a very traumatizing and sobering event. So yeah, it still happens. That is why we have to work to open the hearts and minds of these people. I live my life and I am very grateful for it. However, I am still a black trans * woman and too often that makes me a target. If Laverne Cox can be a target, anyone can be hit. That’s why we have to fight all the harder for trans * people all over the world.
To come back to the quote “The world just had to follow suit”: Did the world catch up?
Yes and no. Total in some aspects! It doesn’t leave me without a trace that I, myself, can do one – a black trans * woman and part of an international campaign for “SodaStream”, who do so much to reduce the ecological footprint. So yeah, in some ways the rest of the world has caught up. In other situations, however, we still have a lot to learn. I think precisely because trans * people are more visible than ever, there are setbacks in the perception of the wonderful humanity of trans * people. We see that in the media and politics here in the US.
But that’s what it’s all about in the end: humanity and love.
Many people are still struggling to openly live or come out as a trans * woman or trans * man. What advice would you give to these people?
You are not alone, even if it feels like it. The internet is a great source of help. There are so many people out there waiting to help you and love you. You are loved and adorable. You are worth being healed. And above all, you are worth living an authentic life. When I started my transformation 23 years ago, I was so scared. But as soon as I took the first step, I felt immense relief. And it wasn’t as bad as expected. Of course, the fact that I’m trans didn’t make my life any easier. On the contrary, it made my life difficult in many ways. But I’ve always been trans and I’ve been bullied all my life. So I thought that if that’s the case anyway and always will be, then at least I want to go through the world as my authentic self. And that made everything easier. For me it was about saving my life.
It’s not easy, but you are not alone. There is so much freedom in self-acceptance. It is so liberating to be able to be yourself.
This article originally appeared on GALA.de.