Let me begin by saying that I have never experienced such an inspirational public speaker than Laverne Cox.
On February 3rd, Laverne gave a speech at the University at Albany about her experience as an African American, transgender woman titled “Ain’t I a Woman: My Journey to Womanhood”. The talk was one of the main events of UAlbany’s sexuality week, which continues until the February 11th. There were 500 people watching the live speech in the Performing Arts Centre as well as an additional 200 people watching via screenings of live streams across campus in various Lecture Centres and the Campus Centre Ballroom.
For those of you who don’t know, Laverne stars in the highly rated and extremely addictive Netflix series, Orange is the New Black. Laverne plays the character Sophia Burset, an incarcerated African American, transgender woman. This is a major role for Cox with Time magazine naming Sophia Burset as the 4th most influential fictional character in 2013. Cox is one of the first African American transgender women to have a leading role on a major mainstream television show. She graduated from Marymount Manhattan College in New York City and since then has pursued a career in acting and public speaking.
The actual event began with a lot of queuing and waiting in the snow at between -5oC and -10oC weather, but it was well worth it! We arrived at the Performing Arts Centre at the uptown University campus at around 4:00pm to see a huge queue already forming on the outside. After a 2 hour wait, a lot of jumping up and down to keep warm and some impromptu singing to keep us entertained we were finally given tickets that gave us access to the Performing Arts Centre where the live speech was occurring. After a quick food and coffee break we were back in the cold again queuing to get our seats inside.
We had an amazing view in the middle of the theatre, and along with 500 people, we eagerly awaited Laverne’s arrival. After a quick speech from Samantha Rosado, the president of the Middle Earth Peer Assistance Program and Francis Agyemang, the President of the Student Association, it was time. Laverne arrived on the stage to a loud and welcoming applause. She looked incredible in a fitted black dress and belt and her hair and makeup were flawless. She truly owned the stage. Especially when she began her speech with “I stand before you this evening a proud African American transgender woman”.
Born and raised in by a single mother in a working class background in Mobile, Alabama, Laverne discussed her difficult childhood as she came to terms with who she was and who she was expected to be because of her assigned gender. She discussed how she was bullied, chased and beaten in school by those who thought she was different. Laverne also recalled how no one really understood her and how many tried to change who she was from family to teachers to therapists. She used her story of dealing with transitioning and her lifestyle to inspire others. Through shocking statistics and her own experience, Laverne revealed how she and others have, and can, overcome shame and turn it into pride.
However, her story was much more than who Laverne was or how she was treated in the past. She promoted education, especially the education of oppression in history and the education of parents and teachers.Laverne also disclosed how from a young age she loved to dance and how she took dancing lessons to overcome her insecurities and to channel herself completely, instead of thinking she was “wrong”. She told funny anecdotes of wanting to be in “Fame”, the popular 1980s television series, and trying to start table dances at her school cafeteria (which never took off to her dismay) and fanning herself with a peacock decorated fan like Scarlett O’Hara in Gone with the Wind. New York City was also described by Laverne as a place of hope and opportunity, where she could finally be herself away from gender conformity in her “Salvation Armani” fashion. Laverne explained that through her passion she survived the shame she felt and that everyone should find their own passion in life.
Laverne also discussed taking an intersectional approach to multiples identities such as gender, sexuality and race, as well as acknowledging other people’s experiences and identities. One of her key messages was of acceptance and tolerance of all people, saying “justice is what love looks like in public”. She told the audience how she believed that mislabelling people, especially transgender women, “is an act of violence”, and instead we should treat others with the respect they deserve in order to create a safe space for all to live in.
The talk ended with a Q&A session where Laverne gave some further inspirational words and thoughts. There was even a question about Orange is the New Black, but unfortunately due to non-disclosure agreements she couldn’t give much away. Fortunately, she did say that Sophia and the other characters will be getting some exciting storylines in Season 3, we can’t wait! Some lucky people also won a raffle to meet Laverne at the end of the talk.
One of Laverne’s greatest abilities as a public speaker was her potential to make you laugh one minute, and then make you want to burst into tears in the next, all while keeping the audience engrossed in her words throughout. She put so much emotion into her message that you couldn’t help but feel the same emotions too. Her ability to add honest humour to such a serious message is incredible and a testament to her fabulous personality.
Overall, the talk was an overwhelming and humbling experience. Laverne’s passion and drive was inspirational and relatable to all with many leaving the Performing Arts theatre in awe. Laverne’s success and determination can encourage us all to be the best that we can be, no matter what our situation, race, class, sexuality or gender.
(Picture Sources: UAlbany Twitter and Sophie Dunne)