Laverne Cox became the first transgender person to cover Time, and now she's opening up about how she overcame a childhood filled with pain.
Orange Is the New Black star Laverne Cox became the first transgender person to make the cover of Time, and now she's opening up about being bullied growing up and how she overcame a childhood filled with pain.
"I am a black transgender woman from Alabama," Laverne told us. "It feels so unreal."
Laverne has come a long way from her roots -- landing a role on a popular show and becoming an activist for the LGBT community.
"I'd like to think we're at a tipping point," said Laverne. "I think what really needs to happen, in terms of full acceptance of transgender people, is everyone thinking about gender differently. Everyone thinking that what someone is assigned at birth isn't necessarily destiny."
Laverne grew up in a time and place where she was not encouraged to be herself.
"I thought that my mother would not love me because I acted this way," said Laverne. "I thought that she wouldn't love me because of who I was authentically."
Laverne revealed that she felt so distraught that she attempted suicide, but eventually moved passed her fears.
Today, Laverne is a part of the It Got Better campaign. Her whole story is available on Lstudio.com on June 11.