What’s up?
It’s Sussan Mourad here with Clevver News and Laverne Cox has spoken out about being
the target of a transphobic attack while walking with a friend at Griffith Park in Los Angeles.
You probably know actress and LGBTQ+ advocate, Laverne Cox, from her roles in Orange is the
New Black and Rocky Horror Picture Show.
She’s also paved the way as a transgender woman in Hollywood.
She was the first trans actress to be nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award, the first openly
trans person to appear on the cover of Cosmo Magazine, and the first trans person to have
a wax figure of herself at Madame Tussauds.
All extremely impressive accomplishments and on top of all of that she also has millions
of followers across social media.
And over the weekend, Laverne spoke candidly to those millions of followers on Instagram
about a recent, extremely upsetting transphobic attack she and a friend faced.
Before we get into everything Laverne spoke about, we just wanted to issue a quick trigger
warning that we will be going into detail about the incident, so please only continue
watching this video if you feel comfortable doing so.
Laverne went on Instagram Live and revealed that she and a friend were on a socially distant
walk with masks on in Los Angeles' Griffith Park when they were subject to a transphobic
attack.
Right as she hopped on camera, Laverne said she felt "in shock" and "super triggered"
by what just happened.
Laverne explained that while she and her friend were walking a guy approached them and aggressively
asked for the time.
But shortly after Laverne’s friend responded with the time, things quickly escalated.
“The guy who had asked for the time says to my friend, guy or girl?
My friend says ‘fuck off.’
I’m walking, I’m hearing all this is happening in a split second and then all of a sudden
the guy is attacking my friend.”
Laverne said that she quickly pulled out her phone to dial 9-1-1, but before she could
even call the man fled the scene and her friend de-escalated the situation.
“I’m having these moments of like should I have like recorded him this is all like…
when this stuff happens it’s so quick and it’s just like… wow.”
Laverene went on to reveal that unfortunately attacks and harassment like this have happened
to her a lot in her lifetime and it never fails to shock her, but thankfully she and
her friend are both safe this time.
She said that even before the pandemic, she hardly left her house because she and many
other trans people have a history of this sort of violence and harassment.
Laverne explained that quote, "This dude was looking for trouble...because I happened to
be a trans person in public.
None of this is new, but it's still just kind of like...why do you need to be aggressive?"
She also said that she initially started blaming herself for the incident but she quickly reminded
herself that it’s not her fault and that sadly people are just quote, “not cool with
her existing in the world.”
Laverne opened up about how this incident reminded her of the ugly truth regarding transphobia
in society.
“It doesn’t matter who you are, you can be Laverne Cox, whatever that means and yeah,
if you’re trans, you’re gonna experience stuff like this.”
She continued on saying quote, "It's not safe in the world.
I don't like to think about that a lot, but it is the truth and it is not safe if you're
a trans person.”
Fellow celebs were quick to flood the comments of Laverne’s IG Live with love and support
after she shared this traumatic experience.
Meghan Trainor wrote “Wtffff I’m so sorry.
love you”
Kerry Washington chimed in saying “Woman!!!!!!!!
Ugh.
I am so sorry.
Love you”
Naomi Campbell commented “I’m sorry @lavernecox , sending love to you”
And Jessica Alba said “I’m so sorry.
So glad you are safe.”
And there were thousands more comments like those from both fans and celebs.
We also want to send our love and support to Laverne, her friend, and anyone else who
experiences these unthinkable, hateful acts on a daily basis.
It’s completely unacceptable and we all must do better to make sure EVERYONE feels
safe doing just the simplest things like going out for a walk in Griffith Park.
We’ve linked some resources down in the description for ways to get involved and show
support for the trans community.
And while we’re speaking about the trans community, click right over here to find out
why J.K.
Rowling’s recent comments about trans people were so problematic.
Also, feel free to leave Laverne Cox some love down in the comments below.
I’m your host Sussan Mourad, you can find me on Instagram @Sussan_Mourad, bye guys!