Laverne Cox Says She And Her Friend Were Targeted In A Transphobic Attack
Laverne Cox has come forward to disclose that she was the target of a transphobic attack while walking with a friend in Los Angeles' Griffith Park.
According to Entertainment Weekly, The Orange is the New Black actress took to Instagram on Saturday November 29, to discuss the incident.
In the Instagram Live, Laverne said that she and a friend were walking in the park when a man 'aggressively asked for the time.' After her friend responded, Cox explained that, 'and then the guy who asked for the time says to my friend: 'Guy or girl?' At this point, Laverne's friend told the man to 'f*ck off' and was then attacked by the man.
Laverne says that as she was pulling out her phone to call the police, the attack suddenly stopped and the man left. 'This dude was looking for trouble... because I happened to be a trans person in public.'
This kind of targeted harassment and violence is unacceptable and is sadly something Laverne says she's had to deal with throughout her life, 'This isn't shocking to me—obviously, this is my life. I've dealt with this a lot, but it never fails to be shocking. If doesn't matter who you are. You can be, like, Laverne Cox, whatever that means. If you're trans, you're going to experience stuff like this.'
She concluded her video, with a emotion reassurance for other transpeople, saying in part, 'When these things happen, it’s not your fault. It’s not your fault that people are not cool with you existing in the world.... We have a right to walk in the park.'
Anyone who has witnessed or experienced a hate crime is urged to call the police on 101, Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or visit the True Vision website. In an emergency, always dial 999.
You Might Also Like
