TL;DR
- Laverne Cox reflects on her 2014 interview with Katie Couric.
- The interview challenged typical narratives about trans people.
- Katie Couric became a strong ally for the trans community.
- Cox’s new book, ‘Transcendent,’ is out now.
- The conversation continues to resonate in LGBTQ media.
In a recent chat with Attitude Uncut, Laverne Cox, the iconic star of Orange Is the New Black, opened up about her groundbreaking interview with Katie Couric back in 2014 that literally shook the internet. This was no ordinary sit-down; it was a pivotal moment in media history that highlighted the often uncomfortable conversations surrounding trans identities.
Cox, who is now gracing the cover of Attitude Uncut, reflected on how even the most revered interviewers, like Oprah, would often steer the conversation towards the details of transition and surgery, which can dehumanize and objectify trans individuals. “Even when someone as illustrious as Oprah would do a very humanizing interview with a trans person, invariably the conversation would turn to the details of transition, genitalia,” she noted. “I theorized that the takeaway for the audience is always about the surgery, what they do in the surgery, and that dehumanizes and objectifies trans people.”
But then came her interview with Couric. Laverne recalled, “When I came out on stage, Katie Couric asked me about this, and I supported Carmen Carrera and reiterated some of those points. This was a pre-tape, and to Katie’s credit, she didn’t cut it. Her producers actually asked her if she wanted to cut it, but she left it in. It aired at the beginning of 2014 and shook the internet.” This was a moment that challenged the status quo of how trans stories were told on mainstream media.
What made this interview so groundbreaking? It was the first time a trans person had pushed back against the typical line of questioning in such a high-profile setting. Katie Couric faced backlash for her initial questions, but instead of shying away, she engaged with the criticism. Laverne recalled, “Katie got a lot of flak for it, but to her credit, she said, ‘Well, if this is the conversation we shouldn’t be having, what should we have?’” This willingness to learn and adapt is what transformed Couric into an incredible ally for the trans community.
Cox didn’t stop there. She brought along fellow activists CeCe McDonald, Tiq Milan, and Chase Strangio for a follow-up discussion, emphasizing the lived experiences of trans individuals. This moment was not just a personal victory for Laverne; it was a significant step forward for trans representation in media.
As Laverne prepares to release her new book, Transcendent, on June 9 in the US and June 25 in the UK, she continues to advocate for trans rights and visibility. The conversation sparked by her interview with Couric remains relevant today, underscoring the importance of allyship and understanding in the media landscape.
To dive deeper into Laverne’s insights, check out the latest issue of Attitude Uncut available on Apple News+ and the Attitude app. This digital-first magazine is dedicated to exploring themes that resonate within the LGBTQ+ community, from sexuality and identity to health and relationships.