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Laverne Cox Talks Acting Career, LGBTQ+ Community + More With Jess Hilarious

Breakfast Club Power 105.1 FM・60 minutes read

Laverne Cox discusses her acting career and advocacy work, emphasizing the importance of representation and self-healing. She highlights challenges faced by marginalized communities, stressing the need for mutual respect, understanding, and support.

Insights

Laverne Cox highlights the transformative power of acting, emphasizing the role of empathy and healing through the characters portrayed on screen, showcasing the importance of creating spaces for vulnerability and complex conversations to promote personal growth and understanding.
The text underscores the significance of representation and self-healing, as seen in Laverne Cox's collaboration with Mattel to create a Barbie doll in her image, advocating for love, positivity, and mutual respect to combat discrimination and promote inclusivity for marginalized communities, particularly black and trans individuals.

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Recent questions

What is Laverne Cox known for?
Acting, advocacy, and representation.
What challenges do black trans women face?
Historical discounting and transphobia.
How does Laverne Cox promote healing?
Through representation and advocacy.
What is the significance of therapy?
Continuous personal growth and healing.
How does Laverne Cox navigate discrimination?
By advocating for respect and understanding.

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Summary

00:00

Laverne Cox: Acting, Fashion, and Diversity

Laverne Cox is a guest on The Breakfast Club, discussing her Barbie created by Mattel and the importance of reaching a diverse audience.
She talks about her vintage Thierry Mugler outfit, inspired by motorcycles and cars, and her collection of vintage Mugler pieces.
Laverne mentions Megan Thee Stallion wearing Mugler suits in her music video and the widespread popularity of Mugler designs.
She recalls a past experience of refusing to ride on a motorcycle, except for a movie role, highlighting her dedication to acting.
Laverne discusses her acting career, including roles in "Inventing Anna" on Netflix and an upcoming show with Norman Lear called "Clean Slate."
Norman Lear, a legendary producer, is mentioned for his iconic shows like "The Jeffersons" and "Good Times."
Laverne shares her journey into acting, starting as a dancer and transitioning to acting in college, despite facing challenges as a trans actor.
She reflects on her audition for "Orange Is the New Black," where she initially faced rejection due to the lack of roles for trans actors.
Laverne emphasizes the importance of preparation and opportunity in her acting career, mentioning her love for hosting red carpets and interview shows.
She discusses her show "If We're Being Honest" on Peacock, where she creates space for vulnerability and complex conversations with guests like Joe Koy.

13:14

"Actors, Therapy, and Social Media: Navigating Challenges"

Acting involves delving into human depths to create empathy for characters, allowing viewers to learn about themselves through the characters they see on screen.
The work of an actor is centered on creating spaces of healing, sending out healing energy to others, and promoting therapy to interrupt negative patterns.
Therapy is a continuous process, not a one-time fix, essential for personal growth and healing, especially during challenging times like the pandemic.
Therapy aids in addressing internal voices of self-doubt and inadequacy, allowing individuals to navigate complexities in relationships and embrace love.
Public figures, like actors, can use their platforms to hold space for raw emotions and complexities, fostering understanding and empathy.
Public relationships can become entertainment for others, leading to misinterpretations and misunderstandings, highlighting the need for evolving relationship norms.
Dealing with social media backlash requires disengagement from negative content, self-reminders of intentions, and openness to constructive feedback while ignoring trolls.
Comedians face challenges in navigating humor around sensitive topics like LGBTQ issues, balancing feedback, and backlash while evolving their understanding and language.
Misunderstandings and unintentional harm can occur in language use, requiring grace, education, and space for growth and evolution in addressing sensitive topics.
The importance of distinguishing between feedback and backlash in criticism, allowing for learning, growth, and evolution in understanding and addressing societal issues.

27:48

Challenges Faced by Black Trans Women

Black women, especially trans women, face challenges due to historical discounting of their womanhood in the United States.
In 1851, Sojourner Truth declared "Ain't I a Woman?" in Ohio, highlighting the invisibilization of black women in a system that defined black individuals as men and white women as women.
The impact of colonialism and racism has led to transphobia within the black community, stemming from historic emasculation and trauma.
Personal responsibility and healing are emphasized, with the belief that issues with others being themselves reflect internal struggles.
Acknowledgment of past hurtful actions, such as using offensive language, and the importance of accountability and learning from mistakes.
The experience of being "canceled" by a significant portion of the community, leading to self-reflection and the need for healing and growth.
The importance of mutual respect in interactions, regardless of differences, and the need for accountability and understanding in communication.
The evolution and learning process following public scrutiny, focusing on personal growth and understanding the impact of one's actions.
The significance of love and positivity in navigating challenges, with a focus on staying true to oneself and spreading love in the face of adversity.
Advocacy for education and critical thinking, particularly in marginalized communities, to combat misinformation and promote freedom and understanding.

41:47

"Advocating for Trans Rights and Healing"

Donald Trump made a speech advocating for the ban of gender-affirming care for everyone, which is concerning.
The American Academy for Pediatrics, American Medical Association, and the Endocrine Society have established protocols for treating trans kids, which should be followed by doctors, not legislators.
Conversations focusing on transition surgeries during public discussions dehumanize trans people and can lead to the removal of their rights.
Dr. George de Gru coined the term "post-traumatic slave syndrome," emphasizing the importance of healing for both the enslaved and the enslavers.
Dehumanizing others ultimately dehumanizes oneself, highlighting the need for mutual respect and dignity.
Separating a sex act from one's sexuality is an advanced concept that can help elevate the humanity of trans individuals.
Laverne Cox shares a personal experience of being mistaken for a trans woman by a singer who desired a specific sexual encounter.
Cox's collaboration with Mattel to create a Barbie doll in her image symbolizes the importance of representation and self-healing.
Cox forgave her mother for not allowing her to play with Barbies, recognizing her mother's efforts and acknowledging her own growth and self-love.
Cox emphasizes the importance of discussing concepts and ideas rather than engaging in unnecessary conflicts, advocating for critical thinking and understanding.

57:01

Embracing Joy and Authenticity in Marginalized Communities

Certain communities need to experience joy, so attending events like a Beyonce concert can bring pockets of joy even in states with discriminatory governments.
Laverne Cox emphasizes the power of living life authentically without solely focusing on transgender identity, highlighting the importance of being seen as a human being first.
The issue lies in people's insecurities and discrimination against trans individuals, with statistics showing high rates of bullying, unemployment, and lack of acceptance.
Acknowledging the presence and contributions of marginalized groups like black and trans individuals is crucial for achieving inclusivity and equity, urging others to respect and support their existence without feeling threatened or competitive.

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