Actress Laverne Cox has opened up to her about falling victim to .
Cox, best known for her ongoing trans activism and Emmy-nominated role on Orange Is The New Black, said that she and a friend had been left “in shock and triggered” by the assault, which took place while the pair were on a walk in Los Angeles.
According to Cox, the friends were approached by a man who “very aggressively” asked for the time, before demanding to know whether Cox was a “guy or girl.'”
"The guy really wanted me to answer so that he could spook whether I'm trans or not," Cox explained. "I don't know why, I don't know why it matters. At the end of the day, it's like who cares? I'm in a hoodie and yoga pants, I'm completely covered up, I've got my mask on - who cares if I'm trans? How does this affect your life?"
When Cox’s friend told the stranger to “f*** off,” the man turned violent, allegedly striking Cox's friend multiple times.
“I look back and I’m like ’What is happening?’ The guy is like hitting my friend, and then my friend is going toward him and I’m like ’Holy s**t!'” she recalled on an Instagram Live video.
“I pull out my phone and I call to dial 911, and all of a sudden it’s over and the guy is gone.”
“It’s not safe in the world," Cox said.
"And I don’t like to think about that a lot, but it’s the truth. It’s the truth, and it’s not safe if you’re a trans person. Obviously, I know this well. It’s just really sad. It doesn’t matter who you are. You can be Laverne Cox, you know, or whatever that means. If you’re trans… you’re going to experience stuff like this.”
Cox concluded the video by reminding her trans followers that transphobic abuse is never their fault aren’t their fault.
“We were walking in the park. We weren’t doing anything," she said.
"I think it’s important for me to remind you, and to remind myself, that when these things happen, it isn’t your fault. That there are people who are not cool with you existing in the world…
"If something like this happens to you, be as safe as you can.”
If you need support you can contact Australian LGBTIQ+ helpline e on phone 1800 184 527 (3pm to midnight, 7 days) or (3pm to midnight, 7 days).
