LAVERNE COX
LGBTQIA+ advocate and actor
Laverne Cox has scored a lot of firsts: first trans person
to have a recurring role on a primetime TV show (Orange
Is the New Black, from 2013); first openly transgender
person to be nominated for an acting Emmy (2014); first
trans person to win an executive producer Emmy (2015).
And now, the first trans person to appear on the cover of
British Vogue. “There’s a tremendous amount of pressure,”
she admits, of being one of the most visible trans people in
the world, “and this is an emotional day for me.” She pauses,
fighting back tears. “But what’s shifted is that there have been
a lot more trans people who have been elevated to magazine
covers, billboards, movie premieres at Cannes – and I don’t
have to carry the burden of an entire community on my
back.” What would her childhood self think, looking at her
today? She laughs. “You are way prettier!” Ellie PithersWool coat, £3,555, Nina Ricci. Cotton shirt, £600.
Woven trousers, £2,100. Both Hermès. Leather trainers,
£315, Common Projects, at Harvey Nichols.
Fashion editor: Grace Coddington. Hair: Didier Malige.
Make-up: Diane Kendal. Nails: Yuko Tsuchihashi09-19-WELL-ForcesForChange.indd 237 10/07/2019 16:14