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Laverne Cox marked National Coming Out Day by joining the rally that featured New York political candidate Zohran Mamdani, where she made an impassioned speech combining personal experience and a demand for political action. Besides, the actress, and activist backed Mamdani’s campaign and at the same time highlighted what she called the systemic efforts to mute transgender people. Her participation provoked online discussion, the supporters’ messages getting lauded while the critics asking about the political alignment.
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Cox, huddled under an umbrella with her supporters and speaking through the rain, proclaimed the gathering a sign of the plans for “a better New York” and pointed at what she termed an intolerable city and political climate unwelcoming to the underprivileged as the reasons for her backing of Mamdani. She set her backing for Mamdani in the context of a rare political inspiration, saying that she hasn’t felt like campaigning for a politician “for a long time” but found his candidacy so special that it was indeed the case.
The Orange Is the New Black star connected her transition to feminism with the political struggle of the entire society and returning to her #TransIsBeautiful campaign, which began ten years ago. “I started it to remind myself that I’m not beautiful despite my big hands, my big feet, my deep voice, my wide shoulders, my height,” she shared with the enthusiastic audience. Besides, she referred to self-love as the essential “work” for the community.
Her address underscored the necessity to acknowledge different types of oppression as linked, thereby contending that “internalized transphobia, racism, xenophobia” are the major obstacles to the working class unity. In addition, she asserted that it is a deliberate strategy of the politicians opposing the left to “humiliate trans people, refugees, and whoever has different opinions” and suggested that the time has come to “re-humanize ourselves and each other” through collective actions.
The comment section was full of polarized reactions with strong support and skepticism. One user was particularly throne congratulated for Cox’s way of dealing with the issue, posting: “whole of this. Coming out includes calling out the folks who want us to be gone. Big love to Laverne Cox for so clearly calling them out.” While another user just screamed: “PRIMARY THEM AND GET THEM OUT!” which was in harmony with the confrontational spirit of the event.
At the same time, quite a few comments were quite doubtful about the political collaboration, and lots of people drew attention to Mamdani’s background being contrary to Cox’s advocacy. “You know he hates our people right? This is terrifying. He doesn’t support lgbtq” was one of the messages. Another one put it as if asking a rhetorical question: “She’s trans right??? Do we all realize that in the Muslim Koran Islam traditions it is punishable by death to be a homosexual…”
Other users countered the negative remarks with a rebuttal, and one of them accused the detractors of “Islamophobia” when it came to their appraisal of the candidate. This back-and-forth made the deep fissures in political coalitions and the tricky navigation of overlapping identities in electoral politics all the more visible.
In the midst of the conflict, many focused on Cox’s personal message of self-advocacy. “A beautiful speech! Bold, smart, beautiful, and fierce spirit,” one of the supporters expressed. Another one simply said: “You are very beautiful,” in line with the idea that the impact of Cox’s long-lasting #TransIsBeautiful campaign is still present.
The political backing comes at a period when the transgender matter is subject to a thorough legislative examination in the United States. Cox pointedly mentioned this problem in her address as she referred to what she labeled “the administration, of the Republican Party, and the complicit Democrats who are devoted to the words of Michael Nose to wipe out dreams in dreams and in public life.”
Her request for the grassroot mobilization was such that “politicians that have been bought and paid for by the rich aren’t going to do it” and that change has to come from people “standing up” together. The oration terminated with a straightforward provocation to “primary them and get them out” regarding every lawmaker accepting corporate contributions.
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The diverse reactions to Cox’s political endorsement are a sure sign of the challenges that celebrities face when they support candidates whilst attempting to maintain their advocacy principles. The supporters regarded her appearance as a courageous move in line with the progressive values, the critics on the other hand, saw a contradiction through the partnership. Whether one agrees with her or not, the discussion that her presence on National Coming out Day has sparked indicates that Cox is still an important player in LGBTQ+ rights struggles as well as in political dialogues. She still holds the power to instigate discussions about the intersection of personal identity and political activism, a power that has not diminished even after all these years since her #TransIsBeautiful movement first opened the ground. TS Madison and Laverne Cox have previously collaborated on projects like Celebrity Family Feud. Her recent stylish cap from The Majority Report and her thought-provoking quotes continue to inspire her followers. She also recently unveiled a vintage Mugler dress for an upcoming fashion book.