Last year I began watching the Netflix series Orange Is The New Black and immediately became intrigued by the talented actress Laverne Cox. As an LGBT youth and having struggles of my own I wanted to know more about her and so naturally I started researching her story online.

Laverne grew up in Mobile, Alabama having to deal with a copious amount of bullying which led her to feel ashamed of herself. Raised by a single mother, who did the best she could with what she had. Laverne’s mother often told her to that she couldn’t act in certain ways because it came off as too feminine. Cox attempted suicide at the age of 11. I am more than ecstatic that she still alive now  though and I’m sure a great number of people agree with me. In the video below she explains how it was difficult for her because she was just being herself, what came natural to her. It wasn’t until she moved to New York and met transgender women for the first time, and by accepting them, she learned to accept herself.

It is also great to hear about her relationship with her mother. Sure it must have been really hard for the two of them. Her mother says “I’m sorry, I didn’t know how to, I didn’t know what to do. I’m sorry I didn’t know how to deal with it.” I went through the same thing with my mother, at first my family not fully accepting or understanding me but over time it got better.

I admire her not only because of the beautiful and talented person she has become, but also for her courage to speak up and become an advocate for transgender people and their everyday struggles. She continues to speak up and share her message. What is great is that she is now a role model for so many transgender youth out there. Like she said, if she had a role model to look up to when she was younger her life would have been so much different.

Here is Laverne Cox on the cover of Time Magazine, June 9th, 2014 issue. I hear about discrimination and stories of anger and hatred all of the time from friends and people I chat with online. When I look at this cover I am proud to be a lesbian and part of the LGBTQ community. It makes me happy when I see others come out into this world as who they are and who they were always meant to be on the inside. I see beauty, grace and courage in this photo.

Laverne Cox joined the Netflix series Orange Is the New Black in 2012. She is best known for her role as Sophia Burset, a transgender woman sent to prison for credit-card fraud, and is the hairdresser for the inmates. 

She accepted the 2013 Courage Award from from The Anti-Violence project.