Contributor

Laverne Cox

Actress, producer and transgender advocate

Laverne Cox is an actress, producer and transgender advocate who made television history when she became the first African-American transgender woman to appear on an American reality show, with her appearance as a finalist on VH1's I Want to Work for Diddy. The show won the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Reality Program. Laverne’s popularity subsequently led her to star in, co-create and co-produce her own show called TRANSform Me, making her the first African-American trans woman to produce and star in her own television show. TRANSform Me was nominated for a GLAAD media award for Outstanding Reality Program. As an actress Laverne has had guest starring roles on Law and Order, Law and Order: SVU and HBO’s Bored to Death. She can be seen in the forthcoming independent films Musical Chairs (directed by Susan Seidelman), Carl(a), Grand Street and The Exhibitionists. Her other film credits include Uncle Stephanie, Bronx Paradise, The Kings of Brooklyn and Daughter of Arabia. Laverne continues to be an advocate for transgender representation in the media. Laverne is passionate about telling stories in the media that reflect the full depth, diversity and humanity of transgender experience.