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Laverne Cox’s moxy

GRANDMA written and directed by Paul Weitz, with Lily Tomlin, Julia Garner, Judy Greer and Laverne Cox. 78 minutes. A Mongrel release. Opens Friday (September 25). See listing.


Used to be that Laverne Cox was the most famous transgender woman in America. Now that distinction may go to Caitlyn Jenner, but Cox has no problem with that.

In fact, the actor – who has a small but compelling role as a tattoo artist in Grandma – is turning into an admirer of Jenner’s.

“I’ve been really moved by Caitlyn Jenner,” says Cox on the phone from New York City. In fact, just the night before our interview, Cox watched an intense episode of Jenner’s I Am Cait reality show in which Jenner talked to trans youth and their families. Jenner, says Cox, seems to be changing as she goes along.

“She’s bringing these stories about trans people to a massive audience. Hearing from all those trans youth – including one that’s in my documentary [Laverne Cox Presents: The T Word] someone who’s just growing up, hearing from their parents and seeing the love – it’s inspiring.”

So was making a movie with the great Lily Tomlin, though it was a little intimidating at first.

“She is a legend and someone I have such admiration and respect for,” says Cox. “Nine To Five, I Heart Huckabees, come on! But she’s so sweet and down to earth and disarming. It’s wonderful to meet someone you idolize and find them approachable. I can only dream of being in my 70s and being as sharp and as smart as she is.”

It isn’t only Cox’s riveting portrait of trans prisoner Sophia in Orange Is The New Black that has made her such a significant presence on the entertainment scene. She’s outspoken in her support of LGBT rights, extremely articulate and handles complex political ideas with aplomb.

When I ask about Grandma’s central narrative thread – a woman goes on the road with her pregnant granddaughter to raise funds for her abortion – Cox is careful, insisting that it’s also a film about family, but she doesn’t shy away from the abortion issue.

“It’s one of the most difficult things for a woman. And it’s handled in a real way in Grandma. I’m happy to be in a film that has a non-didactic approach to a very polarizing subject.”

The trans issue remains her main focus. The intention of her documentary is to create visibility for other trans people – to lift every voice, as she puts it.

“We’re in a moment of crisis. Sixteen trans women have already been killed in the U.S. this year, 13 the whole year before, so something’s going on,” she says with passion. “Even as trans folks are enjoying new visibility, we don’t yet have an anti-discrimination law, we’re not counted in our census, and 40 per cent of homeless youth are LGBTQ. So we have a long way to go in terms of public policy.”

Her advice to trans youth is pointed.

“Find a way to be true to who you are – and then stay in school, which is what I say to youth of colour, too. If you’re trans and of colour and uneducated, your life chances are diminished.

“But schools are not always safe, so the onus can’t be on youth. It’s up to adults to make sure schools are safe and that there are policies to protect our students.” 

Don’t miss our review of Grandma here.

susanc@nowtoronto.com | @susangcole 

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