Laverne Cox lands Attitude Uncut cover, talks to Munroe Bergdorf about her new memoir: ‘My transness has always been spiritual’
"I genuinely love trans people – I think we're magical, I think we're amazing," says Orange Is the New Black star Cox, ahead of the release of her new book Transcendent
Laverne Cox has been unveiled as the new cover star for the latest issue of Attitude Uncut, accompanied by an in-conversation piece with Munroe Bergdorf – available exclusively on Apple News+ and the Attitude app.
The interview celebrates the Orange Is the New Black legend’s new memoir Transcendent, out 9 June 2026 in the US and 25 June 2026 in the UK.
Offering messages of empowerment to trans and gender-diverse people, the 54-year-old said: “I think the biggest thing is to have the courage of who we are and not let the voices of the oppressor infiltrate us to make us internalise the shame.”
“When I have the audacity to speak the truth the way I have now, I feel like myself” – Laverne Cox
“I genuinely love trans people – I think we’re magical, I think we’re amazing,” added Cox – also known for appearances in Promising Young Woman and Disclosure: Trans Lives on Screen.
Discussing her journey from scared to empowered during the current political climate, the Emmy winner explained: “I’ve been scared. The past three years, I’ve been terrified.
“And as I lost opportunities, I felt like I should say less because I didn’t want to lose more. And I didn’t want to damage the community either.
“Even leading up to the 2024 election, I was like, ‘Should I not be so vocal?’ But what I’ve come to realise for me, just in terms of my own mental and spiritual health is that when I have the audacity to speak the truth the way I have now, I feel like myself. I feel empowered.”
To read this interview in full, check out Attitude Uncut on Apple News+ and the Attitude app.
Attitude – the world’s biggest LGBTQ+ media brand and Europe’s best-selling magazine for gay men – last year launched Attitude Uncut, an all-new digital magazine that will be published six times a year (between Attitude print issues) and available exclusively on Apple News+ and via the Attitude app. Featuring long-read journalism inspired by themes resonating within the LGBTQ+ community, each issue will provide a deep dive into topics as varied as sexuality, identity, health, relationships and beyond.