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Laverne Cox offers a dire warning to trans folks & opens up about her post-election plans
Trans actress Laverne Cox said that she's beginning to ration her estrogen in preparation for Trump taking office in January and what that might mean in terms of trans healthcare.
If things are bad for Laverne Cox, a trans woman with at least some amount of money and security afforded by fame, you know it's bad. In an interview for Variety, the 52-year-old Orange is the New Black star opened up about her fears for Trump's second term.
Cox, like many people, is considering fleeing the United States. She said she and a few friends are, "Doing research on different cities in Europe and in the Caribbean." Cox has been taking notes on how much of Trump's rise to power over the past decade reflects other fascist regimes throughout history, especially Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party.
“There was this a thriving community of queer people in Berlin pre the rise of Nazism. They attacked Jewish folks. They attacked immigrants, they attacked queer and trans people," said Cox. She's right. In the early part of the 20th century, the Hirschfeld Institute for Sexual Science in Berlin was doing groundbreaking resource on trans people, trans health care, and even gender confirmation surgery. The destruction of the Institute by the Nazis in May 1933 set trans people back decades.
Cox is famous, yes, but she's still a very publicly well known Black, trans woman. She has all the right in the world to be worried.
"I don’t want to be in too much fear, but I’m scared," she shared, adding, "As a public figure, with all my privilege, I’m scared, and I’m particularly scared because I’m a public figure. I feel like I could be targeted. I think they spent close to $100 million on anti-trans ads. It’s deeply concerning."
Cox also shared that she's now joining the many trans people, myself included, who've been stockpiling HRT for fear of not being able to get hormones sometime soon. Said Cox, "I’m done with my medical transition, but I have to take estrogen for the rest of my life. If I stop I get hot flashes. It’s really bad. I have to take estrogen just for health. I don’t know if that’s going to be possible anymore."
There are resources for hormones outside of traditional pharmacies, and they're easier to access for those on estrogen or progesterone. Cox shared, "There’s a website I’ve gone to already. I haven’t bought any yet because I’m talking to my doctor to make sure it’s all reputable and good product. But, yeah, I’m gonna hoard a bunch of estrogen. It’s a little trickier for trans men because testosterone is a controlled substance. But there are resources online."
Cox was asked what advice she has for trans people still looking to make a career in Hollywood, especially in a time where creatives might be increasingly cautious on taking on queer projects. She spoke about a friend's 16-year-old daughter who, through her parent's support, was able to access gender affirming care early on.
"If a young person has the privilege of getting gender affirming care that blocks their puberty and they can live stealth, I would tell them to do that," said Cox. She continued, "That’s obviously not an option for everybody. That wasn’t an option for me but I think if you can live stealth right now… I’m so scared for her [Cox begins to cry]. I just want her to be safe. At this point, whatever you have to do to be safe and not be killed or terrorized so much as you want to kill yourself, [do it to] stay alive."
Cox does end on a hopeful note, reflecting on a career that no one thought was possible for her to have as an out Black, trans woman in 2011. And yet, here she is today in all her glory.
Cox ended her interview saying, "I have a career as a working actor and producer and other things. Nobody thought that was possible. So always follow your dreams. Never give up on your dreams, no matter what the circumstances. I would also say, learn the business, learn the market and be safe. Find ways to create your own work, create your own opportunities with social media. Have business savvy along with a commitment to the art, and never give up on your dreams."
Rowan Ashley Smith has often been described as "a multi-hyphenate about town." He loves work that connects him to his cultures as a gay, Jewish, multiracial trans man. Before breaking into journalism, the best days of his professional life were spent as a summer camp professional, a librarian, and an HIV prevention specialist. His work has been featured in GO Magazine, pride.com, and The Advocate. In what is left of his free time, Rowan enjoys performing stand up comedy, doing the NYT crossword, and spending time with his two partners, two children, and four cats.
Rowan Ashley Smith has often been described as "a multi-hyphenate about town." He loves work that connects him to his cultures as a gay, Jewish, multiracial trans man. Before breaking into journalism, the best days of his professional life were spent as a summer camp professional, a librarian, and an HIV prevention specialist. His work has been featured in GO Magazine, pride.com, and The Advocate. In what is left of his free time, Rowan enjoys performing stand up comedy, doing the NYT crossword, and spending time with his two partners, two children, and four cats.
