GLAAD congratulates out transgender actress Laverne Cox on being named LGBT History Month "Icon of the Day" by The Huffington Post.
October is LGBT History Month, and The Huffington Post has been spotlighting a different LGBT icon every day. Their decision to recognize Laverne Cox today is a well-deserved honor.
Laverne Cox first came to GLAAD's attention when she appeared on the VH1 reality series, I Want to Work for Diddy. Based on her participation, the show received the award for Outstanding Reality Program at the 20th Annual GLAAD Media Awards.
Cox followed-up her success by producing and starring in her very own show on VH1 called TRANSform Me, in which Cox, along with out transgender models Nina Poon and Jamie Clayton, helped women find their own inner (and outer) beauty. TRANSform Me was nominated for Outstanding Reality Program at the 22nd Annual GLAAD Media Awards.
This year Cox starred in Musical Chairs, an independent film directed by Susan Seidelman (Desperately Seeking Susan) about the world of competitive ballroom dancing. And look for Cox to appear in the new series by Weeds creator Jenji Kohan, Orange is the New Black.
In addition to her success in film and television, Cox is a strong advocate for transgender equality. She regularly blogs for The Huffington Post, and has appeared on a variety of cable news shows discussing transgender issues. She has supported GLAAD, the Empire State Pride Agenda, and recently participated in the National Center for Transgender Equality's "Voting While Trans" PSA campaign to raise public awareness about the impact new strict-photo ID laws will have on thousands of transgender Americans this November.
We are thrilled to see Laverne Cox's many contributions to LGBT equality recognized by The Huffington Post, and we look forward to seeing all that she has planned for the future.