Laverne Cox on Trump’s Anti-Trans Executive Orders: “The Republican Party is Worried about the Wrong 1 Percent”

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As a passionate gamer, I’m speaking up, just like Laverne Cox did, addressing the series of executive orders from President Donald Trump that directly impact the trans community. Simultaneously, I’m excitedly promoting my upcoming Amazon Prime Video series, “Clean Slate,” a heartwarming comedy where I, as an art dealer (that’s me!), reunite with my father (George Wallace) in Mobile, Alabama, after years apart. The twist? I’ve returned home as a trans woman, and together we rebuild our relationship from the ground up. Can’t wait for you all to see it!

On his inauguration day, January 20th, President Trump issued an executive decree specifying that the administration would henceforth recognize only two genders: male and female. This decision mandated the relocation of transgender women to male detention facilities, as well as a halt in providing gender-affirming medical care for prisoners. The attorney general was tasked with guaranteeing no federal funds were utilized for any procedure, treatment, or medication meant to align an inmate’s physical appearance with their identified gender. A week later, another order was enacted, prohibiting transgender individuals from openly serving in the military.

Cox stated to The Hollywood Reporter on Thursday that trans people make up a tiny fraction of the population (less than one percent), but he believes the Republican party is focusing their concerns on the wrong group. He noted that trans individuals are being unfairly blamed and targeted at all levels, which isn’t surprising if you look at Project 2025 – a presidential transition initiative by the conservative think tank, The Heritage Foundation.

Cox also addressed the trans community directly.

Let me remind everyone, particularly those identifying as transgender, that we’ve faced similar challenges in the past. Our identities were once considered criminal, with many cities enforcing anti-crossdressing laws until the early ’90s. A remarkable individual, Alexandra Billings, has been documenting on Instagram and TikTok her transition back in 1979. She was arrested numerous times just for living as a trans person, walking down the street. Yet, she persevered and survived those difficult times. There were individuals before her who also endured and overcame, and we too shall prevail through these challenges again.

On Tuesday, President Trump issued an executive order aimed at halting gender-confirming medical care for those under 18 years old. According to him, the government will refrain from financing, endorsing, advocating, facilitating or aiding such treatments and surgical procedures for minors.

Cox stated, ‘Trans individuals adapt to even circumstances that deny us access to gender-affirming healthcare. This is much like the struggle for abortion rights; it hasn’t always been safe or convenient, but we persist. Ideally, we can have routine checkups and lab work with medical professionals. However, no government action can halt our pursuit of gender-affirming care. We are resilient and resourceful – a fact that has held true in the past and will continue into the future.’

Cox, who jointly created, produces, and stars in Clean Slate with Wallace, finds the release timing of this Norman Lear-produced series, set to premiere on February 6, incredibly auspicious amidst the ongoing assault on transgender and LGBTQ rights in the country. Lear passed away on December 5, 2023, at the age of 101, and Clean Slate is one of his final works before his demise.

Right now, the release of this show serves as a poignant reminder to me: things happen in God’s time, not mine. It underlines the idea that everything is much larger than our individual selves, and that we are being steered along a path. Last night, someone asked me, ‘Where do you think your strength as a Black woman emanates from?’ I responded by saying it comes from our ancestors. They have paved a path for us, one that’s both illuminating and enlightening if we take the time to observe, listen, learn, and replicate their wisdom.

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2025-01-31 06:24