Laverne Cox Quotes

It is revolutionary for any trans person to choose to be seen and visible in a world that tells us we should not exist.

We are not what other people say we are. We are who we know ourselves to be, and we are what we love. That's okay.

If you have a problem with people living their lives and being authentically who they are, you really should go and do some soul-searching.

We are born as who we are, the gender thing is something that is imposed on you.

By doing the work to love ourselves more, I believe we will love each other better.

There are lessons in everything. The bad, the good. Our job is to listen, and to continue to learn, so that maybe we get better at this. Maybe get better at life.

When I was perceived as a black man I became a threat to public safety. When I was dressed as myself, it was my safety that was threatened.

I believe that when we love someone, we respect them, and we listen to them; we feel that their voice matters. And- we let them dictate the terms of who they are and what their story is.

Whether you're transgender or not, most of us get to a point in our lives where we can no longer lie to ourselves.

When a trans woman gets called a man, that is an act of violence.

Believing that you are unworthy of love and belonging or that who you are authentically is a sin or is wrong, is deadly.

Who you are authentically is alright.

I honestly just want to make myself happy most, and if other people like it, then that's great. If they don't, then I'm still happy.

Healthcare for trans women is a necessity. It is not elective. It is not cosmetic. It is life saving.

I believe if we have something that we love to do, that can save our lives. That can get us through.

When people have points of reference that are humanizing, that demystifies difference.

There's not just one trans story. There's not just one trans experience.

Seeing a black transgender woman embracing and loving everything about herself might be inspiring to some other folks.

We shouldn't demonize the woman who wears high heels and we shouldn't demonize the woman who doesn't wear high heels. We should accept all forms of comportment.

I'm always skeptical about representations of trans people, especially when trans people are not making the work.

Quality is my principle and qualified is my attitude.

I'm a Self-made Woman in Every Sense of the Word

The preoccupation with transition and with surgery objectifies trans people, and we don't get to really deal with the real lived experiences.

I'm so grateful that I had the luxury of transitioning in private. Because when you transition in the public eye, the transition becomes the story.

I'm terrified of saying the wrong thing on stage with bell hooks.

You need names to get the movie made.

Writing a book is quite an undertaking and I wouldn't want to do it just to do it.

What took time for my mom was getting the pronouns right and calling me by a different name. Laverne was my middle name before I transitioned.

My mother was a teacher. She was grooming my brother and me to be successful, accomplished people.