Laverne Cox has become the first transgender person to be nominated for an Emmy in an acting category. Cox received a nomination for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series for her role as Sophia Burset in the hit Netflix Original Series Orange is the New Black. Cox also received the Stephen F. Kolzak Award earlier this year at the 25th Annual GLAAD Media Awards.
“From gracing the cover of TIME Magazine, to now becoming the first openly transgender person to be nominated for an Emmy in an acting category, Laverne Cox continues to break barriers,” said GLAAD president and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis. “Today, countless transgender youth will hear the message that they can be who they are and still achieve their dreams – nothing is out of reach. Laverne’s success on a hit series is a clear indication that audiences are ready for more trans characters on television.”
Commenting on the nomination the LATimes reported Cox as saying, “I’ve been thinking a lot about this. I was on the cover of Time magazine in June and, that same month, four trans women of color were murdered in the United States. So just because I got an Emmy nomination doesn’t mean the lives of trans people aren’t in peril every day.”
“It’s so weird,” Cox continued. “Part of me wonders why it’s me because there’s so many amazingly talented, smart, beautiful trans actors out there. It’s weird that it’s me having the big moment right now. There are people out there who deserve it as much and I’d like to send them a lot of love today.”
Cox will be in San Diego, July 18, as San Diego Pride’s keynote speaker at the Spirit of Stonewall Rally and Flag Raising in Hillcrest, 6-7 p.m.
