Image source: Getty / Emma McIntyre / AMA2020
Laverne Cox speaks out after a transphobic attack left her and her friend “in shock” and “super triggered”. On Sunday, the actress detailed the heartbreaking incident in a 10-minute Instagram video, explaining that she and her friend were returning home after a socially distant stroll in Griffith Park in Los Angeles when they were approached by a man who has asked “ very aggressively ” the time.
“The friend I’m with looks at his watch and tells him the time, then the guy who asked for the time says to my friend, ‘A guy or a girl? “” Laverne said. “My friend says, ‘F * ck off.’” According to Laverne, the man then started attacking his friend and hitting them. “I look back and I’m like, ‘What’s going on? “The guy is like hitting my friend, then my friend walks over to him and I’m like ‘Holy shit!’ “Laverne said. “I pull out my phone and call to dial 911, and all of a sudden it’s over and the guy is gone.”
After the attack, Laverne and her friend came to the conclusion that the man was actually trying to approach her when he asked for the time. “The guy really wanted me to answer so he could scare me whether I was trans or not,” Laverne said. “I don’t know why, I don’t know why this is important. At the end of the day, it’s like who cares? I’m wearing a hoodie and yoga pants, I’m completely covered, I have my mask on – who cares if I’m trans? How is this affecting your life? “
“It’s not sure if you are a trans person. Obviously, I know that.
While Laverne confirmed that she and her friend were “thankfully safe” after the incident, she added that it was certainly a trigger for her. “It doesn’t shock me,” she said. “Obviously, this is my life. I’ve dealt with this a lot, but it never fails to be shocking.” She added, “It’s not sure if you’re a trans person. Obviously I know that. It’s just really sad.”
She then ended her video on a more upbeat note, offering her fans a few words of encouragement. “I think it’s important to remind myself and to remind you that when these things happen, it’s not your fault,” she said. “It’s not your fault if there are people who are not cool with you that exist in the world … We are allowed to walk in the park.” Watch Laverne’s full video below.
