I am so deeply moved by the dialogues that are happening around my appearance with Carmen Carrera on The Katie Show on Monday. It is my dream that by highlighting the deep humanity of trans people’s lives in the media, elevating actual trans voices to speak the truth of our lived experiences in ways that don’t sensationalize and objectify us, those human voices and stories can be a part of the disruption needed to end the disproportionate injustices that threaten so many trans people’s lives, particularly the lives of trans women of color. It is a state of emergency for far too many trans people across this country. The stories of women like Islan Nettles and CeCe McDonald are far too commonplace in our community. I look forward to engaging in more dialogues about the complicated intersectional issues around these injustices and ways to make them a thing of the past. I am so grateful to Katie Couric and her show for the opportunity to highlight these important issues.”
— Actress Laverne Cox in a blog post about the support she received following her appearance with Carmen Carrera on Katie Couric’s talk show when they were asked what many considered invasive personal questions
Spike
What controversy? KC asked a question pertinent to the guest and the shows topic and the guest chose not to answer the question. How/why is that a controversy? It’s called an afternoon talk show, guests avoid answering questions all the time. KC is a former journalist, she’s going to ask questions that will reveal information, you want to know what some celebrity did on vacation, watch ELLEN.
Controversy . . . how lame.
Meowzer
@Spike:
I agree… it’s not like Katie ambushed her with the question. Laverne must have know given the topic of their appearance that she would ask about it.
The only controversy is by those looking to stir it up, screeching that what Katie did was some kind of embarassment to her guests.
the other Greg
@Spike: Funny you should mention Ellen. In the comments yesterday about this, people kept mentioning Ellen as if she’d have handled this in some perfect, ideal way. But it’s easy to imagine Ellen making a joke to Laverne Cox about “why didn’t you change the name COX too? – ha ha – kidding, kidding!” (Obviously not the kind of thing Katie Couric should attempt.)
Spike
@the other Greg: Ellen would never have these guests on her show. Period. Nor would she ever allow the topic of transgender to be discussed on the show. She has a real chip on her shoulder when she came out and didn’t get work for a year. Her ‘gayness’ is sanitized and never offensive and thus she continues to make 100 millions a year.
Daveliam
So, as I predicted in my comments yesterday, this isn’t the controversy that people are trying to make it out to be. No surprise there. I love when people cry outrage on behalf of other people only to be corrected.
Dwayne420
Just love how media tries to create a controversy where there is none. Katie did her job and did it well.
jimbryant
Laverne Cox appears to be a fetishist. Her long, straight hair is typical of white women. Does she want to be white?
zaneymcbanes
Laverne Cox is a class act all the way.
LadyL
@jimbryant: Maybe she just wants to be pretty. Why does it have to be about race? In western cultures, long hair is commonly associated with being young and feminine–so maybe it’s Beyonce and Tyra and Naomi and Kerry with whom she identifies.
Observant
@LadyL: Sliced, diced, and served. Kudos LadyL.
darkanser
@Meowzer: I saw the clip of Katie Couric’s show and I wondered too what the headlines were screeching about. Katie asked the question in a non-offensive manner and the guest answered in an equally non-offensive and very informative manner. I especially liked Ms. Cox’s remarks about what defines a role model. She spoke very articulately about the issues facing transgendered individuals. I was impressed.
Trent T
@jimbryant: Yes, I mean I am sure it has nothing to do with being feminine and being transgendered, its all because she wants to be white. *rolls eyes*
Tyler100
@jimbryant:
JimBryant appears to be a fetishist. His rants are against whatever topic is at hand. Does he want to be a troll?
(The answer is yes).
DShucking
If a person is trying to convince the world that they are the opposite sex than what they were born as, they’re going to need to answer the question as to why they wouldn’t have a full sex change operation.