Laverne Cox claims she’s lost 90% of her income over the last few years because of Donald Trump’s administration.
The actress spoke to The Guardian while promoting her new book “Transcendent: A Memoir.”
“This regime has threatened to defund any colleges and universities that promote gender ideology, DEI [Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion],” she said.
Cox grew up in Mobile, Alabama, during the 1970s. She was bullied as a child for being effeminate and then physically and emotionally abused as a young adult.
At 11 years old, the actress said she was “going to sleep every night praying I would wake up different.” Adding, “I suspect I’m not the only one who lived a childhood with a parent who maybe didn’t fully understand them around their transness or being an artist.”
Cox went on to star in the hit 2013 TV series Orange Is the New Black, for which she earned an Emmy. She also spoke at colleges and businesses, worked as a brand ambassador, and hosted red carpets.
She shared that she has seen limited work since Trump took office.
“All these words had to be taken out of every piece of legislation, policy, government document: gender, gender ideology, gender identity, LGBTQ, DEI, abortion, contraception,” she explained.
Cox said that finding teaching jobs has been difficult because “even though I’d be teaching a graduate acting class, it could be perceived as promoting trans ideology. These are the realities,” the actress said.
She added, “I’m not complaining – I’m very blessed. I think the important thing to note is that if Laverne Cox’s income has gone down significantly, what about all the other trans people who are not as privileged and as blessed as I am? There are material consequences for this kind of discrimination and scapegoating.”
Cox’s book, “Transcendent: A Memoir,” was published on June 9.