Laverne Cox, a trailblazer for trans visibility, is using her platform to spotlight the ongoing backlash against trans rights in the U.S. While promoting her upcoming series Clean Slate, co-starring comedian George Wallace, Cox reflected on the current political climate and the importance of storytelling in fostering empathy.
In Clean Slate, Cox plays the estranged child of an older man who returns home as his daughter for the first time. The role, she explains, aligns with her broader mission of ensuring trans narratives remain visible despite increasing opposition.
“In terms of the trans aspect of it, we’re experiencing the most intense backlash against trans visibility that I’ve seen in my lifetime,” Laverne Cox stated, pointing to the surge in legislative efforts targeting trans rights.
She highlighted that during the last election cycle, political campaigns spent an estimated $215 million on anti-trans advertisements. “If you watched, you would think the election was about trans people and immigrants,” she remarked, underscoring how trans issues have been politicized to an unprecedented degree.
Laverne Cox also pointed to restrictive policies that have surfaced nationwide, including executive orders and legislation banning gender-affirming care for minors, prohibiting trans individuals from serving in the military, and enforcing bathroom restrictions.
“We’re less than 1% of the population,” Cox noted. “Someone in my comment section said, ‘They’re worried about the wrong 1%.’”
This remark draws a stark comparison between the focus on trans rights and economic disparity, where the wealthiest 1% hold disproportionate financial power. According to a 2021 study, approximately 1.2 million Americans identify as non-binary, a fraction of the country’s population. Meanwhile, economic inequality remains a persistent issue affecting millions.
Despite these challenges, Cox remains optimistic, believing in the transformative power of storytelling. “In 2025, as federal bans continue targeting trans people, what I love about this show and being an artist is that artists can be arbiters of empathy,” she said.
She emphasized that empathy can bridge divides and counter the dehumanization of trans individuals. “Art—getting to know trans people as people—is a way to rehumanize,” Cox explained, highlighting how media representation can shift perceptions and foster understanding.
Her new series, developed in collaboration with the late Norman Lear, blends comedy with meaningful storytelling. She believes humor can be a powerful tool against adversity. “Laughter, because it’s so catastrophic, it’s ridiculous, and sometimes you have to laugh—and we must laugh,” Cox shared. “That is what Norman Lear always put first: the laughter.”
With Clean Slate, Cox hopes to spark conversations that extend beyond trans issues, promoting a culture of empathy and acceptance for all. “I hope that—not just for trans people, but for everybody—this show fosters more empathy, more love, and more humanizing.”
