Laverne Cox Praises Caitlyn Jenner’s ‘Heart And Soul’


Caitlyn Jenner, formerly Bruce Jenner for those of you who have been camping out in the jungle over the past week, once inspired Orange is the New Black transgender actress Laverne Cox and in a moment of beautifully perfect karma, Ms. Cox has come forward in a new essay to praise Caitlyn for returning the favor.

Ms. Cox has penned an essay exploring Caitlyn Jenner’s transformation and what it means for the trans community as a whole. As Laverne tells in her commentary, Ms. Cox feels that it’s time for people to learn how to look beyond physical appearances. Ms. Cox hopes that her essay will help people to see that there is so much more to Caitlyn Jenner, and to Laverne Cox herself, than their physical beauty.

Laverne recalls that it was only one year and three days, since the Time magazine’s “Transgender Tipping Point” featured Ms. Cox on its cover and now, only a short time later, Vanity Fair has featured Caitlyn Jenner proclaiming #CallMeCaitlyn.

“I am so moved by all the love and support Caitlyn is receiving. It feels like a new day, indeed, when a trans person can present her authentic self to the world for the first time and be celebrated for it so universally.”

Ms. Cox emphasizes the importance of recognizing inner beauty and strength, as well as acknowledging the attractiveness in Caitlyn’s physical appearance. Laverne believes there is so much more to a person and for trans women, it seems much of those inner aspects tend to get pushed aside. Could it be that too much emphasis is placed on the trans woman’s physical struggle, while other traits and abilities are getting lost in the shuffle? Ms. Cox thinks so.

“I love working a photo shoot and creating inspiring images for my fans, for the world and above all for myself. But I also hope that it is my talent, my intelligence, my heart and spirit that most captivate, inspire, move and encourage folks to think more critically about the world around them.”

Laverne finds that Ms. Jenner is indeed very beautiful in the physical sense, but she finds that a part of that attractiveness comes from Ms. Jenner’s “heart and soul, the ways she has allowed the world into her vulnerabilities. The love and devotion she has for her family and that they have for her. Her courage to move past denial into her truth so publicly.”

Laverne examines her own beauty and the compliments she’s received on her appearance, while also acknowledging that she has had the aid of genetics that made her more amenable to gender reassignment and she has also been fortunate enough to have better choices than many in the transgender experience. Ms. Cox also points out that no one should have to concern themselves with being placed under public scrutiny in such a harsh way.

“Now, there are many trans folks…who will never be able to embody these standards. More importantly many trans folks don’t want to embody them and we shouldn’t have to to be seen as ourselves and respected as ourselves. It is important to note that these standards are also informed by race, class and ability among other intersections.”

Laverne hopes that society can learn to look beyond the beauty in Caitlyn’s photos to find the substance in the person, just as she hopes that more enlightened attitudes can be applied to all in the trans community.

“I hope, as I know Caitlyn does, that the love she is receiving can translate into changing hearts and minds about who all trans people are as well as shifting public policies to fully support the lives and well being of all of us. The struggle continues…”

[Featured image: Laverne Cox courtesy of Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Go Red]

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