The Huffington Post published a new interview with Laverne Cox who plays a trans woman in the GLAAD Media Award-nominated film Musical Chairs, and who received a GLAAD Media Award in 2009 for her participation in the VH1 reality show I Want to Work for Diddy. In the interview, Laverne discusses that series and the response she got from trans women of color who had never seen themselves represented in entertainment other than being depicted as sex workers. She also talks about the lack of transgender roles in Hollywood, and her upcoming film and television projects.
Laverne Cox is an actress and producer who first rose to fame on I Want to Work for Diddy, and went on to produce and star in a show of her very own, TRANSform Me, making her the first black transgender woman to do so. TRANSform Me was nominated for a GLAAD Media Award in the Outstanding Reality Program category.
She has worked with GLAAD on many projects and most recently participated in the "I AM: Trans People Speak" campaign. She also appeared on a CineGLAAD panel at the Sundance Film Festival, where she discussed trans representations in film.
As an trans advocate, Laverne stood behind Chaz Bono during his appearance on Dancing with the Stars, appearing on The Insider, along with other prominent transgender advocates, to talk about the significance of having a transgender person appearing on one of America's most beloved reality programs.
Laverne Cox is keeping busy in 2013. She will be starring in the Netflix original series Orange is the New Black and the independent film The Exhibitionists, which is set for release on DVD on April 23rd.