Actress Unearths Childhood Abuse in Memoir

Laverne Cox's memoir, "Transcendent," is a profound exploration of deeply buried traumas, including childhood sexual abuse, adolescent suicidality, and relentless bullying. Cox recounts harrowing experiences, such as being molested by a babysitter and assaulted by peers, details she has never shared publicly before. The book also chronicles her complex relationship with her mother, detailing instances of abandonment that haunted her formative years. Cox details her transition and the subsequent harassment she faced in New York City.

Cox describes her life for many years as existing in "survival mode," a state of constant fight, flight, or freeze. A turning point came about ten years ago when she began trauma resilience therapy, which helped her understand and begin to heal from these deep-seated issues. The memoir also touches on the intergenerational trauma within her family, stemming from her grandfather's experiences as the son of an enslaved person.

Through therapy and her artistic pursuits, Cox is actively working to break cycles of trauma. She emphasizes that it is never too late to achieve a happy childhood and that adults are responsible for their healing and response to past events. Her twin brother, M Lamar, served as a key confidant during the writing process, providing a unique perspective as a witness to her life.