Laverne Cox: As a black transgender woman, Ive often been kept a secret by boyfriends

Laverne Cox has made history as the first transgender woman to cover Cosmopolitan. She’s on the upcoming February issue for the South African version, which is progress but I would like to have seen her on the American version too. She looks incredible in a net plastic one-arm one piece bathing suit. I’m thinking some photoshop magic happened because otherwise that suit would be see through, right? The video only shows her from the neck up in that dress so I’m thinking that’s the case.

Cox is getting headlines for her candid comment that many of her past boyfriends have hid her from their friends and family. As a cis person, that’s not something I realized happens to transgender people. You hear the stories about how vulnerable trans women are but you don’t consider the everyday indignancies and it’s kind of heartbreaking. Laverne explains that her ex boyfriend was different though and that she met his family and it was special. This makes me happy but why is he her ex boyfriend? Is she talking about the guy she brought to the SAGs in 2016 and why didn’t it work out? I know that sometimes it’s for the best when people split though. Here’s some of what she told Cosmo and the video is below.

The most romantic thing anyone has ever done for her
As a black transgender woman, I’ve often been kept a secret by the men that I’ve dated. So when my ex boyfriend introduced me to his dad and invited me to spend Hanukkah with him and his family, it was the most special thing ever. Trans women deserved to be loved out in the open and in the light.

Her message to Cosmo readers
Let go of fear and live a fun, fearless life. If I can do it, you can do it.

[From video by Cosmo SA ,below]

I love how she told us to let go of fear. I know that’s a Cosmo tagline, but it means something more coming from her. That’s something I need to hear and am trying to embrace. She may get sick of hearing it, but she’s inspirational. Also I would like to get some beauty and makeup tips from her. I googled “Laverne Cox makeup tips” and she uses baby shampoo as face wash! I need to try this.

Here’s the quick Q&A with Laverne. She said her celebrity crush is Drake, that she’d most like to be stuck in an elevator with Oprah and that her Emmy is her most treasured possession. The part about her ex is at :50

Photos credit: Cosmo and WENN

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