Laverne Cox credits transgender visibility for increasing support for transgender rights

Mon. May 16, 2016 9:27 AM by OnTopMag.com

Transgender actress Laverne Cox on Saturday applauded the federal government's guidance on transgender students.

Cox hosted Saturday's 27th annual GLAAD Media Awards, which honored Mariah Carey and Robert De Niro. Caitlyn Jenner's coming out interview also won an award.

"[GLAAD's] work is really, really vital," Cox told Billboard prior to the show.

Last week, the Obama administration advised public schools, colleges and universities to allow transgender students to use the bathroom of their choice. In announcing the directive, Attorney General Loretta Lynch came out strongly in favor of transgender rights.

"I believe when we can change the hearts and minds of people about marginalized folks then that can begin to move public policy," Cox said. "I think the way over the past several years we've had an unprecedented amount of transgender visibility and look at what has happened this week. The Attorney General of the United States has come out ferociously for transgender rights. The Obama administration [is] also for the rights of trans students. It's really incredible."

Deadline Hollywood reported that Cox's role in the upcoming CBS legal drama Doubt will make her the first transgender actor to play a transgender series regular character on network television. Cox currently co-stars on Netflix's Orange is the New Black.

Article provided in partnership with On Top Magazine

 

MORE CONTENT AFTER THESE SPONSORS