Cox to Couric: Stop Objectifying Trans People

Focus on surgery, genitalia, is misplaced, Orange Is the New Black star argues
By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff
Posted Jan 8, 2014 12:37 PM CST

Orange Is the New Black star Laverne Cox appeared on a Katie Couric Show segment about transgender women on Monday, and the clip of the interview is going viral because of what Salon calls Cox's "absolutely perfect" response to Couric's probing questions about her genitalia.

"The preoccupation with transition and surgery objectifies trans people. And then we don't get to really deal with real lived experiences," Cox said. "Our unemployment rate is twice the national average; if you are a trans person of color, that rate is four times the national average. The homicide rate is highest among trans women. If we focus on transition, we don’t actually get to talk about those things." If you're expecting Rodman-style fireworks, don't bother watching, but if you'd like to see a heartfelt, reasoned defense of trans women's privacy, it's worth watching. (More Katie Couric stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X