Laverne Cox: From Alabama Abuse to Global Stardom

Laverne Cox's memoir, "Transcendent," vividly details her childhood in Mobile, Alabama. As a young, gender non-conforming child, Cox endured harsh discipline, including conversion therapy, and was subjected to homophobic slurs by her mother. Her parents ultimately abandoned her and her twin brother, leaving them at an orphanage for a month before their mother reclaimed them.

Despite immense hardship and loneliness, Cox's journey was marked by a fierce inner defiance. After more than 20 years of struggle in New York, she achieved significant acting success, notably as Sophia Burset in "Orange Is the New Black." Her memoir explores her path to becoming a trans woman and an advocate, highlighting resilience and rebellion against decades of abuse and rejection.