For more than a decade, Laverne Cox has been one of the most visible trans women in America. But the Emmy-nominated actress and activist says she spent most of her childhood in Mobile, Alabama, keeping herself hidden. In her new memoir, Transcendent, Cox writes about her journey from a closeted youth to a groundbreaking performer, and why she decided to share her story at a time when trans rights are under increasing attack.

Cox says that even from a young age, there was always music in her head. She would dance everywhere, finding escape in movement. A turning point came in third grade, on a church field trip to Six Flags. She bought a paper fan to cool herself, and caught the attention of her teacher. 'I was having a Scarlett O'Hara moment, fanning myself,' Cox says. Later that day, her mother received a call from the school, and the teacher said that Cox would end up in New Orleans wearing a dress if she didn't get into therapy right away.

When she was 8 or 9, Cox was sent to conversion therapy. A therapist suggested injecting her with testosterone to make her more masculine. 'My mother, thank God, said no to that,' Cox recalls. But the experience left deep scars. Cox knew she needed to leave Mobile. In her new memoir, she writes about being bullied mercilessly by other children, a situation made worse by her mother's reaction: instead of protecting her, her mother made it her fault.

The bullying continued throughout her school years. Cox remembers being chased, teased, and physically assaulted. 'As an adult, I am angry at the boys. I am angry at my mother. I want to protect that little child.' She also feels anger about the trans and queer kids who still experience this today, particularly in states that have passed anti-trans laws, where bullying rates have skyrocketed. 'There's the rhetorical piece that happens in the media that is dehumanizing and stigmatizing trans people. It creates a permission structure. If your governor and state legislators are doing it, if teachers and pundits on TV are doing it, then of course kids are emboldened. That makes me so angry.'

Finding Expression in College

In college, Cox began to explore gender expression more freely. She started wearing skirts and dresses, though she had internalized so much transphobia. 'Ending up "in New Orleans wearing a dress" was presented to me as the absolute worst thing that could happen. In my young mind, I imagined I would be on the street, homeless, a person who had to do unfortunate things to survive.' But she also purchased girls' clothes from thrift stores in Mobile and Birmingham, describing it as a fun, wonderful exploration. In high school, she read about Oscar Wilde and his concept of creating oneself as a work of art, which resonated deeply.

In the 1990s, Cox moved to New York City and began auditioning for roles, first as a dancer and then as an actor. She also started experimenting with gender norms, and began her medical transition in 1998 at age 26. Show business had always been calling. 'There was always music in my head, which is such a wonderful gift. From the second I was walking, I was dancing, and I danced everywhere. It took me away. It was like a character that I could play.' Dance became her solace; she started studying in third grade and says it was the best thing ever.

Career Breakthrough and Activism

Cox is best known for her role as Sophia Burset on Netflix's Orange Is the New Black, a role that earned her an Emmy nomination and made her the first openly trans person of color to have a leading role on a scripted television series. The show became a cultural touchstone, and Cox used her platform to speak out about trans issues, including representation in media, healthcare access, and violence against trans people, particularly trans women of color.

She also produced and featured in the documentary Disclosure, which examines how trans people have been portrayed in film and television, and the impact of those portrayals. In interviews, Cox has emphasized that trans people have always been there, and that visibility alone is not enough—it must be accompanied by accurate, humanizing stories.

The Inspiration for 'Transcendent'

Writing her memoir was an act of resistance and healing. 'After 2023, it became very clear to me that trans people had lost the culture,' Cox says. 'I knew this was the beginning of a disaster in terms of policy. The dehumanization was so clear to me, and so I think I also thought maybe one more human story out there can help.' The book covers not just her childhood and career, but also her relationship with her twin brother, who played her pre-transition character in Orange Is the New Black. That decision came with complications—her brother initially had regrets about being defined by her work rather than his own.

Cox reflects on growing up with a twin brother in a family that was not touchy-feely, where there was no hugging or saying 'I love you.' They bonded over music and art, and he would attend her dance classes and give her notes. Now, their relationship is healthier than ever.

The memoir details the pain of conversion therapy, the joy of dance, and the complexities of family dynamics. It also offers a message of survival: despite the anger and trauma, Cox has built a life of meaning and purpose. She hopes that by sharing her story, she can help others, especially young trans people who may be struggling. 'One more human story out there can help,' she says.

In addition to her acting work, Cox has been a vocal advocate for trans rights, testifying before Congress, speaking at the White House, and using her social media to amplify trans voices. She has also written op-eds and given countless interviews where she challenges the dehumanizing narratives that surround trans people. Her visibility has been a double-edged sword—she has faced threats and harassment, but she continues to speak out.

The book also touches on her experiences with romantic relationships, her spirituality, and the role of therapy in her healing. She writes candidly about the shame she carried from her early years and how she learned to embrace her identity. 'I am still angry,' she admits, 'but I am also hopeful. And I believe that stories can change the world.'

Cox's journey from a bullied child in Alabama to an international icon is a testament to resilience. Her memoir Transcendent is not just a personal history—it is a political act, a declaration that trans lives matter and that every story deserves to be told. As she continues to break barriers in Hollywood, her voice remains one of the most powerful in the fight for equality.

Source:NPR News