2015 has been a most progressive year for the transgender community in terms of visibility and activism. Most recently, Caitlyn Jenner was honored with the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the 2015 ESPYs. In her incredibly inspiring and memorable speech, she uses her privilege to highlight trans issues and also give spotlight to fellow members of the trans community. One of them being Laverne Cox.
“I’m too young to be a trailblazer,” Laverne jokes with James Corden during her appearance on the Late Late Show. Jenner refers to Cox as a “trailblazer” in her speech, and the title is deservedly so. While Laverne has seemingly risen to fame since receiving her role on Orange is the New Black, she has been advocating and speaking out on trans rights and issues for years. With Jenner’s public transition and Cox being a role model for so many, they were bound to meet. And they finally did!
Laverne speaks of Caitlyn genuinely, saying, “she’s such a sweet woman.” The two women met in person at an exclusive screening of Jenner’s new reality docuseries, I Am Cait. Laverne recalls being overwhelmed with Caitlyn’s interaction with the paparazzi. “I don’t want that life,” she explains. Laverne’s private transition during her 20s as a Trans Person of Color is quite different from Caitlyn’s very public transition. However, she believes it is important to have diverse voices leading trans activism.
Overall, Laverne appears to have an immense respect for Caitlyn, and we hope this isn’t the last we see of them together. Check out the rest of Laverne’s interview below.