Laverne Cox writes thoughtful post on Caitlyn Jenner’s Vanity Fair cover

I was really moved by Laverne Cox's post-Emmy nom essay for TIME magazine last year, in which she revealed herself as a terrific writer, critical thinker and compassionate advocate for the less-fortunate members of the transgender community. They're qualities that she's displayed again in her new Tumblr post on Caitlyn Jenner's Vanity Fair cover, where she encourages those who are celebrating Caitlyn's outer beauty to look deeper:

“Many have commented on how gorgeous Caitlyn looks in her photos, how she is 'slaying for the Gods.' I must echo these comments in the vernacular, 'Yasss Gawd! Werk Caitlyn! Get it!' But this has made me reflect critically on my own desires to ‘work a photo shoot”, to serve up various forms of glamour, power, sexiness, body affirming, racially empowering images of the various sides of my black, trans womanhood. I love working a photo shoot and creating inspiring images for my fans, for the world and above all for myself. But I also hope that it is my talent, my intelligence, my heart and spirit that most captivate, inspire, move and encourage folks to think more critically about the world around them. Yes, Caitlyn looks amazing and is beautiful but what I think is most beautiful about her is her heart and soul, the ways she has allowed the world into her vulnerabilities. The love and devotion she has for her family and that they have for her. Her courage to move past denial into her truth so publicly. These things are beyond beautiful to me.”

The post is worth a read in its full context.

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