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Orange is the New Black scores first transgender Emmy nomination

Laverne Cox makes Emmy history as the first transgender person nominated in an acting category.

2014-07-11_1043Orange is the New Black‘s Laverne Cox has made Emmy history by becoming the first transgender person to be nominated in an acting category.

Cox, who portrays prisoner Sophia Burset in the Netflix series, was nominated for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series alongside co-stars Natasha Lyonne, Uzo Aduba, plus Tina Fey, Melissa McCarthy and Joan Cusack.

Kate Ellis, President & CEO advocacy group GLAAD has praised Cox’s nomination.

“From gracing the cover of TIME Magazine, to now becoming the first openly transgender person to be nominated for an Emmy in an acting category, Laverne Cox continues to break barriers,” she said.

“Today, countless transgender youth will hear the message that they can be who they are and still achieve their dreams – nothing is out of reach. Laverne’s success on a hit series is a clear indication that audiences are ready for more trans characters on television.”

GLAAD also acknowledged other nominees including The Normal Heart and Modern Family, including openly LGB actors Matt Bomer, Joe Mantello, Jim Parsons, Kate McKinnon, Sarah Paulson, Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Nathan Lane.

Orange is the New Black returns at 8:30pm Wednesday July 16 on Showcase.

4 Responses

  1. This is really fantastic news. Well deserved. Then again, absolutely any of the supporting actors on this show could have gotten an Emmy nomination. One of the finest ensembles I’ve seen in a very long time. The fact she’s transgender just makes it all the more special as it’s such a rarity. Congratulations Laverne!

  2. I had no idea Laverne was actually transgender in real life. I just thought it was a bloody good actor! Props must also go to Socratis Otto who plays transgender Maxine in (what I humbly believe to be the superior prison drama to Orange) Wentworth.

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