Transgender activist and actress Laverne Cox has spoken about the importance of meaningful transgender representation while speaking on a panel at the Television Critics Association press tour.
The Orange is the New Black star explained to the audience that there are still a lot of misconceptions about who trans people are—with the media often perpetuating stereotypes of the community as being either “victimised or predators”.
“So it’s so crucial that we have representation that is diverse, that represents the full humanity of trans people,”
“We’ve got to tell these stories better because lives are on the line.
"Trans people are being murdered, are being denied healthcare, access to bathrooms and employment and housing because of all of these, sort of, misconceptions that people have about who we really are,” she added.
Cox recently against comedian Lil’ Duval for ‘joking’ about murdering a woman if he found out she was transgender on The Breakfast Club radio show.
She wrote on Twitter following the incident: “Some folks think it's ok to joke about wanting to kill us. We have free speech but that speech has consequences and trans folks are Experiencing the negative consequences with our lives. It hurts my spirit cause this isn't funny. Our lives matter.”
Transition narratives on TV
During the GLAAD sponsored panel event, Cox also pointed out that transgender stories on TV often centred on the process of transition.
"For me, I think transition narratives are most useful within community," Cox said. "Transition narratives, in and of themselves, are not necessarily problematic, but I think that becomes the only thing that people focus on ... I think my life got way more interesting after I transitioned than it was during the transition.”
Alexandra Billings—know for her role as Davina in Transparent—also spoke on the panel and added that there were more important stories to tell about the transgender community.
"If we spend too much time on it, if we draw a circle around it, we are stuck in puberty," Billings said.
"But I think there is something important about looking at that journey and what that journey is. It’s less about curiosity and more about education.”
The actress added that it was no longer illegal to be transgender—and that huge strides have been made by the trans community.
“I spent many nights in jail because I was walking across the street. Police would say you know, in order for you to do this, you have to have three articles of male clothing.
"The fact that we have any representation that is positive, that speaks to people of colour, is remarkable and a gift.”
