Laverne Cox, an Emmy-nominated actress and renowned transgender activist, dives deep into the urgent fight for trans rights. She highlights the alarming rise of anti-trans ads during the Trump campaign and condemns Meta's harmful decision to halt monitoring hate speech. Laverne underscores how these dynamics contribute to increased violence against trans individuals. The conversation busts myths surrounding gender-affirming care and emphasizes resilience in activism, all while teasing her upcoming Netflix comedy series, Clean Slate.
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insights INSIGHT
Dehumanization Campaign
The political right's strategic dehumanization campaign against transgender people has been effective.
This has led to discriminatory legislation like bathroom bans and restrictions on gender-affirming care.
insights INSIGHT
Visibility vs. Understanding
Increased visibility of transgender people doesn't equate to understanding.
The narrative around trans people still needs to move away from transition to broader human experiences.
insights INSIGHT
The Trojan Horse of Sports
The focus on fairness in sports created a permission structure to dehumanize transgender people.
This dehumanization extends beyond trans individuals and ultimately affects all women.
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Written by Vito Russo, 'The Celluloid Closet' is a landmark work that examines the images of homosexuality and gender variance in Hollywood films. The book chronicles the history of how gay people have been erased or demonized in movies, reflecting and perpetuating homophobic stereotypes in American culture. The revised edition, published in 1987, includes information on new wave independent and gay-produced films such as 'The Times of Harvey Milk' and 'Desert Hearts'. This work serves as an essential reference for understanding the portrayal of LGBT people in cinema and its impact on societal attitudes.
Braving the wilderness
The Quest for True Belonging and the Courage to Stand Alone
Brené Brown
In 'Braving the Wilderness', Brené Brown redefines what it means to truly belong in an age of increased polarization. She argues that we are experiencing a spiritual crisis of disconnection and introduces four practices of true belonging that challenge common notions about belonging. Brown emphasizes that true belonging requires believing in and belonging to oneself fully, finding sacredness in both being part of something and standing alone when necessary. The book is a mix of research, storytelling, and honesty, offering a clear path to true belonging and encouraging readers to brave the wilderness of uncertainty and criticism with integrity and authenticity.
Transgender kids and adults have become a political punching bag for conservatives — but Laverne Cox is stepping into the ring. Kara talks with the transgender activist, Emmy award-winning producer and four-time Emmy-nominated actor, known for her groundbreaking role as Sophia Burset in Orange is The New Black, about the Trump campaign’s $200+ million spend on anti-trans ads during the election (and the Harris campaign’s lack of response); why Meta’s decision to no longer monitor hate speech could lead to more gender violence, and not just against trans kids; and how to stay resilient in the fight for civil and human rights (including packing a go bag).
Plus: Laverne and Kara bust myths in a speed round about gender-affirming care, which is being targeted by laws across the country, and talk about her upcoming Prime Video comedy series Clean Slate.
Questions? Comments? Email us at on@voxmedia.com or find us on Instagram and TikTok @onwithkaraswisher.
On with Kara Swisher 
