Laverne Cox | Photo: Instagram/lavernecox
Laverne Cox has bravely discussed experiencing suicidal thoughts in the past.
The actress says the episode occurred ‘many years ago’ while she was living in new York City.
In an emotional Instagram post, the OITNB star also draws attention to the ‘injustice’ of misgendering trans murder victims.
Posting on the photo-sharing website, Cox reveals she carried a note in her pocket insisting that in the event of her death, she would be gendered correctly.
‘Being misgendered and deadnamed in my death felt like it would be the ultimate insult to the psychological and emotional injuries I was experiencing,’ the Grandma actress explains.
Laverne wrote the message in response to a powerful ProPublica report exploring the shootings of four black trans women in Jacksonville, Florida over the last six months. Three of the shootings were fatal.
Laverne’s message in full
‘Many years ago when I was contemplating suicide, I was planning to have a note in my pocket at the time of my death and several other notes in my home which would state my name, preferred gender pronouns and that I should be referred to as a woman in my death. My note would be clear that I should not be referred to as Laverne Cox only not any other name.
‘Being misgendered and deadnamed in my death felt like it would be the ultimate insult to the psychological and emotional injuries I was experiencing daily as a black trans woman in New York City, the injuries that made me want to take my own life.
‘I used to share a lot more on social media about the murders of trans folks. I don’t as much now because its retraumatizing for me to constantly live in this space of death, murder and the injustices that lead to these deaths. As I read this report from ProPublica I sobbed and wept for all the trans people who have been murdered and those experiencing direct, cultural and structural violence. I wept because I haven’t been allowing myself to. I wept for all of the violence I have experienced in my own life.
‘I have been saying for years that misgendering a trans person is an act of violence’
‘I am angered, saddened and enraged that the police in Jacksonville, Florida and other jurisdictions don’t have policies in place to respect the gender identities of trans folks when they have been MURDERED. This misgendering and deadnaming also impedes the investigations into these murders. Injustice on top of injustice!
‘I have been saying for years that misgendering a trans person is an act of violence. When I say that I am referring to cultural and structural violence. The police misgendering and deadnaming trans murder victims as a matter of policy feels like a really good example of that cultural and structural violence. Thank you ProPublica for this in depth report on this issue. Please read and share and join with local trans organizations demanding that police do better on this issue and many others.’
Need support? Here are some LGBTI helplines for those in crisis or seeking advice.
