• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • About Towleroad
  • Towleroad on Social Media
  • Privacy Policy

Towleroad Gay News

Gay Blog Towleroad: More than gay news | gay men

  • Travel
  • Sports
  • Law/Justice
  • Celebrities
  • Republicans
  • Madonna
  • Books
  • Men
  • Trans Rights
  • Royals
  • Monkeypox
  • Sophia Bush’s girlfriend ‘proud’ the actress has opened up about coming out as queer
  • Mel B declares she’ll ‘always be open’ when it comes to her sexuality!
  • Megan Thee Stallion being sued for ‘forcing cameraman watch her having lesbian sex!’

Gay Iconography: Is Laverne Cox Becoming An Icon?

Bobby Hankinson December 27, 2013

Lcox

The phrase "gay icon" gets tossed around a lot, but what does that really mean? Welcome to Gay Iconography, a new feature where we present a proposed iconic figure or character and then ask you to weigh in with your thoughts. It's about reaffirming idols, discussing why these figures resonate (or not) and coming together as a community to define our cultural cornerstones. Despite Tom Daley's cheeky declaration of his gay icon status earlier this week, we're turning our attention to another break-out LGBT star of 2013 for this installment.

There's a lot to love about the Netflix original series Orange Is the New Black. For all the ink and pixels spilled over the incredible (and diverse) ensemble cast, the portrayal of the prison system and the exploration of race, the show also deserve some thanks for introducing a larger audience to Laverne Cox.

She is an actress, producer and activist. From her reality-TV beginnings to her recent critical acclaim as Sophia Burset on Orange Is the New Black, Cox has seized her opportunity in the spotlight as a transgender woman of color to speak out on transgender issues.

In addition to her advocacy, one could argue that Cox embodies many of the qualities we routinely attribute to gay icons. She's dealt with personal struggle, she's beautiful and she's not afraid to speak her mind.

Familiarize yourself with more of Cox's work and share your thoughts, AFTER THE JUMP …

Get More: I Want To Work For Diddy (Season 1)

Cox's first prominent televison appearance was on the first season of VH1's I Want To Work For Diddy. The Apprentice-inspired reality show had folks competing for the chance to, well, work for Diddy. See Cox compete in a team challenge from episode five above. She was eliminated in episode six.

video
play-rounded-fill
Link
 

She became the first African-American transgender person to produce and star in her own TV show when she produced and starred in TRANSform Me. The series featured Cox and fellow transgender women Jamie Clayton and Nina Poon as they gave makeovers, in the style of Queer Eye For the Straight Guy.

video
play-rounded-fill
Link
 

You may recognize Cox from her small roles in various TV shows and films. The reel above shows her work in Law and Order, Law and Order: SVU, Bored To Death and more.

video
play-rounded-fill
Link
 

Of course, it's Orange Is the New Black that's launched Cox to stardom. Her character Sophia is notable not only for the depth and complexity of the writing, but for Cox's incredible performance.

video
play-rounded-fill
Link
 

Since making a splash on Orange Is the New Black, Cox has made appearances on talk shows and news networks to passionately advocate for transgender people. In the clip above from Joy Behar: Say Anything!, she talks about marriage equality and underscores the importance of remembering transgender people on the road to equality.

While it's still early in her career, do you think Laverne Cox has what it takes to become an icon? You can read more from our interview with Cox earlier this year, and tell us what you think in the comments!

Topics: towleroad, Trans Rights More Posts About: Gay Iconography, Gay Iconography, Laverne Cox, Laverne Cox, Orange Is The New Black, Orange is the New Black, Transgender

Related Posts
  • Stonewall veteran Miss Major is on the road, urging trans people to ‘stand up and fight’
  • Tennessee pride celebrations showcase queer joy amid neo-Nazi threats, legal attacks
  • Pregnant transgender man featured on cover of Glamour magazine
  • Mel B declares she’ll ‘always be open’ when it comes to her sexuality!

    Mel B declares she’ll ‘always be open’ when it comes to her sexuality!

    Published by BANG Showbiz English Mel B will “always be open” when it comes to her sexuality. The Spice Girls singer, 48, who reunited with her bandmates including the group's ex-singer Victoria Beckham for the fashion …Read More »
  • Megan Thee Stallion being sued for ‘forcing cameraman watch her having lesbian sex!’

    Megan Thee Stallion being sued for ‘forcing cameraman watch her having lesbian sex!’

    Published by BANG Showbiz English Megan Thee Stallion is being sued for allegedly creating a hostile work environment and forcing her cameraman to watch her having lesbian sex. The 29-year-old ‘Savage' rapper faces the salacious claims …Read More »
  • Mean Girls star Jonathan Bennett recalls the moment his life ‘changed forever’

    Mean Girls star Jonathan Bennett recalls the moment his life ‘changed forever’

    Published by BANG Showbiz English Jonathan Bennett's life was “changed forever” by his role in ‘Mean Girls'. The 42-year-old actor starred as heartthrob Aaron Samuels in the 2004 cult classic – which followed Lindsay Lohan, Rachel …Read More »
  • Sir Elton John sent Lance Bass gift basket to celebrate coming out

    Sir Elton John sent Lance Bass gift basket to celebrate coming out

    Published by BANG Showbiz English Sir Elton John sent Lance Bass a gift basket after he came out as gay. The 44-year-old NSYNC star revealed the legendary singer showed his support when Lance decided to reveal …Read More »
Previous Post: « News: Miley Cyrus, NSA, Piranhas, Joan Rivers, Ben Cohen
Next Post: A&E Lifts Phil Robertson Suspension, Will Resume Filming with Entire ‘Duck Dynasty’ Family »

Primary Sidebar

Most Recent

  • Sophia Bush’s girlfriend ‘proud’ the actress has opened up about coming out as queer

    Sophia Bush’s girlfriend ‘proud’ the actress has opened up about coming out as queer

  • Mel B declares she’ll ‘always be open’ when it comes to her sexuality!

    Mel B declares she’ll ‘always be open’ when it comes to her sexuality!

  • Megan Thee Stallion being sued for ‘forcing cameraman watch her having lesbian sex!’

    Megan Thee Stallion being sued for ‘forcing cameraman watch her having lesbian sex!’

  • Mean Girls star Jonathan Bennett recalls the moment his life ‘changed forever’

    Mean Girls star Jonathan Bennett recalls the moment his life ‘changed forever’

  • Sir Elton John sent Lance Bass gift basket to celebrate coming out

    Sir Elton John sent Lance Bass gift basket to celebrate coming out

  • Relationship status influences heterosexual women’s sexual prejudice towards lesbians

    Relationship status influences heterosexual women’s sexual prejudice towards lesbians

  • JoJo Siwa had a challenge transitioning to new grown-up image

    JoJo Siwa had a challenge transitioning to new grown-up image

  • Liz Hurley defends lesbian sex scene in new movie that was directed by her son

    Liz Hurley defends lesbian sex scene in new movie that was directed by her son

Partner Links

  • Jake Tapper Suffers Self-Inflicted Injury As Ratings Take A Beating
    CNN host Jake Tapper had his lowest-rated month in nearly a […]
  • Benito Skinner tells Kelly Clarkson that he loves your DMs about ‘Overcompensating’
    Benito Skinner’s new Prime Video coming-of-age series “Overcompensating” draws on his […]
  • What Is Howard Lutnick Smoking?
    Trump's gaslighting Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick was at it again, this […]
  • How Marco Rubio Went Total MAGA Trump Chode
    It has been something to watch the complete downfall of Secretary […]
  • The Onion: Pete Hegseth Bans Men With Girl Names From Combat
    Here's another relevant and not far from the truth video from […]

Most Commented

Social

Twitter @tlrd | Facebook | Instagram @tlrd

About

  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • About Towleroad
  • Towleroad on Social Media
  • Privacy Policy
[towleroadmr] [towleroadtn]

Footer

Ptown Hacks 2018

Read

  • Travel
  • Film
  • Law – LGBT Rights
  • Columns
  • Specials

About

  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • About Towleroad
  • Towleroad on Social Media
  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2025 · Log in

×
×