Star of ‘Orange is the New Black’ speaks in RVA

The Hollywood star and advocate for transgender people will share her thoughts next month at Virginia’s largest LGBT gala.

March 18, 2014; 7:12 AM • by Nathan Cushing

Laverne Cox, star of Netflix’s Orange is the New Black, will deliver the keynote speech at Equality Virginia’s 25th anniversary Commonwealth Dinner on April 5th in Richmond. The Commonwealth Dinner is Virginia’s largest gala for LGBT individuals and supporters.

Cox was the first trans woman of color to appear on an American reality TV program, VH1’s I Wanna Work for Diddy. She was also the first trans woman of color to produce and star in her own TV show, VH1’s TRANSForm Me, which was nominated for a GLAAD Media Award.

In addition to Orange is the New Black, Cox has appeared on television shows Law & Order and HBO’s Bored to Death, along with the films Carla and The Exhibitionists, among others. Last year, she won the award for Best Supporting Actress at the Massachusetts Independent Film Festival for her role in the movie Musical Chairs.

Cox is a regular on TV news and talk shows, often using her appearances to advocate on the behalf of transgender people.

Here’s a clip of her with Katie Couric:

And here’s an interview with Kamau Bell:

Cox will deliver the keynote speech at the Commonwealth Dinner, which will be emceed by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Jonathan Capehart.

Here’s Cox’s keynote address at the recent Creating Change conference:

The Commonwealth Dinner will take place on Saturday, April 5th at the Greater Richmond Convention Center at 403 N. 3rd Street. Only a small number of tickets remain available.