Laverne Cox: Transcendent

This event will be hosted in The Great Hall located in the Foundation Building at Cooper Union at 7 East 7th Street between Third & Fourth Avenue.

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ACCESSIBILITY:

Wheelchair Accessible

Assisted listening devices are also available upon request.

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Four-time Emmy-nominated actress Laverne Cox shares her journey as a transgender woman in Hollywood, confronting childhood trauma, shame, gender identity, her transition, body image issues, her search for romantic love, deep-seated feelings of unworthiness, and ultimately, healing.

Laverne Cox is a powerhouse in the fight for transgender rights and representation—but her path from a struggling trans actress to a cultural movement was anything but easy.

Surviving a childhood full of trauma, dealing with depression, and working at a drag restaurant in New York City for seven years, Laverne was turning forty and felt it was time to throw in the towel when it came to being a Hollywood star—then she booked the character of Sophia Burset in Orange is the New Black. Her world changed overnight.

She made history as the first openly transgender person nominated for a Primetime Emmy, starred in a range of high-profile shows, and became the first transgender person to win a Daytime Emmy as executive producer on Laverne Cox Presents: The T Word. A red-carpet fashion icon, podcast host, and fearless advocate, she uses her stardom to champion LGBTQ+ rights, whether on Hollywood’s biggest stages, her personal channels, or at Supreme Court hearings. And she’s only getting started.

In Transcendent, you will experience life in Laverne’s shoes, from her childhood abuse to making her big break, dealing with Hollywood bureaucracy, feeling lonely in a world that is unaccepting, and finding her voice through the chaos of it all. With behind-the-scenes stories and personal reflection, we can heal and fight for equality, right alongside Laverne.

Photo credit: Bret Lemke

Laverne Cox is an Emmy-winning actress, producer, and LGBTQ+ advocate best known for her role as Sophia Burset on Orange Is the New Black, which made her the first openly transgender person nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award. Born in Mobile, Alabama, she studied at the Alabama School of Fine Arts before pursuing acting in New York City. Cox has been a trailblazer for transgender representation in media, using her platform to advocate for trans rights and visibility. She made history again as the first transgender person to win a Daytime Emmy as an executive producer for Laverne Cox Presents: The T Word. Beyond acting, she is a sought-after speaker and activist, working to challenge discrimination and promote inclusivity. She is also host of her own podcast by iHeartRadio and Shondaland: The Laverne Cox Show. She resides in New York City.

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