Laverne Cox Hopes Caitlyn Jenner Cover Is ‘Changing Hearts and Minds’

Following Caitlyn Jenner’s splashy debut on the cover of Vanity Fair, Orange is the New Black star Laverne Cox has spoken out on the transition of the woman formerly known as Bruce and what it means for the transgender community.

Taking to Tumblr, Cox recalled her own bold magazine moment last year, when she appeared on the front of Time next to the headline “The Transgender Tipping Point: America’s next civil rights frontier.” Her glamorous portraits, she writes, provoked a conversation from some trans people that her “certain cisnormative beauty standards” didn’t “represent most trans people.”

Caitlyn’s stunning new cover, says Cox, is a time to consider that #TransIsBeautiful, no matter what.

“There are many trans folks because of genetics and/or lack of material access who will never be able to embody these standards,” she writes. “More importantly many trans folks don’t want to embody them and we shouldn’t have to to be seen as ourselves and respected as ourselves.”

Additionally, Cox asked that light be shed on issues for trans folks without privilege, such as those needing healthcare.

“I hope, as I know Caitlyn does, that the love she is receiving can translate into changing hearts and minds about who all trans people are as well as shifting public policies to fully support the lives and well being of all of us,” she concluded. “The struggle continues…”

Cox is just one member of the trans community throwing support behind Caitlyn.

Nick Adams, a transgender spokesman for GLAAD, told the Los Angeles Times that Caitlyn was aiding in the “larger national conversation about transgender issues.”

“It is allowing Americans to feel like they know someone who is transgender and hopefully bringing a greater understanding about what it means to be a transgender person,” he said.

Trans advocate and host of MSNBC’s digital series So POPular Janet Mock provided a bit of levity:

And yes, the ultimate form of shade is not spelling Caitlyn with the requisite family “K.” #CallMeCaitlyn

— Janet Mock (@janetmock) June 1, 2015

But Mock also used the cover as a teaching moment:

Let’s celebrate Caitlyn & use her moment to uplift trans folks facing insurmountable economic barriers for affirming healthcare.

— Janet Mock (@janetmock) June 1, 2015

So what’s next for Caitlyn Jenner? Her new eight-part series, still untitled, will debut July 26 on E!. In a release prior to Caitlyn’s reveal, the network said that “the series will tell Bruce’s intimate story and will join him as he seeks out his ‘new normal.'” Caitlyn’s show joins a growing number of television shows portraying transgender characters and experiences.