Actress Laverne Cox and her twin brother, artist M Lamar, experienced an incredibly challenging childhood. The twins were born in 1972 and raised in Mobile, Alabama, by their single mother and grandmother.
Now, the “Orange Is the New Black” star is bravely opening up about their childhood in her new memoir, “Transcendent.” Ahead of the book’s release, Cox touched on a particularly difficult time when she and her brother were sent to an orphanage.
Laverne Cox Revisits Painful Chapters In Her New Memoir
Today, Laverne Cox is a proud transgender woman and LGBTQ+ activist. But in her youth, she experienced horrific trauma and bullying.
While growing up, her mother, Gloria, worked four jobs to support the little family. Their relationship became tense amid the mounting challenges. Sadly, Gloria often threatened to kick her twins out of the home. At one point, she ultimately sent the siblings to live with their father.
Devastatingly, their father wanted nothing to do with them either. He referred to his children as “freaks,” and his partner dropped the children off at a police station. Ultimately, the twins went to an orphanage.
Gloria insists Laverne Cox and M Lamar were only in the orphanage for around a week. However, the siblings are absolutely certain it was much longer.
âI mean, the abandonment,â the “Orange Is the New Black” star told PEOPLE. âMy momâs version of things isnât correct. Itâs nice to have a twin brother I can check with and be like, ‘It was a month, right?’ And heâs like, ‘Yeah, it was definitely a month.’”
Though Cox knew she wanted to share her story with the world, digging into this chapter of life reopened many old wounds.
“To actually tell that orphanage story was triggering. It was re-traumatizing,” Cox admitted as she reflected on the experience. “I was just back there again.”
The Writer Shared Her Story For a Very Specific Purpose
Laverne Cox sincerely hopes her memoir will be able to help those who need it most. The actress knows there are many out there with unhealed childhood wounds.
âI felt abandoned, unlovable and discarded,â the 54-year-old told PEOPLE. âBut I think thatâs the reason to tell any of these stories. Hopefully someone will read them and feel less alone.Â
Thankfully, Laverne Cox is an incredibly happy adult and feels so grateful for all the wonderful blessings in her life. She wants others to realize that they can move on from their pain and find joy again. They don’t have to stay trapped in the darkness and pain.
“I hope my joy is something that can become infectious and people can partake in,” she told the outlet.
The Actress Embarks On Her Book Tour in June
Now that the “Transcendent” is just weeks away, Laverne Cox hopes her fans will support the book during her tour. She will appear in major cities across the country to promote the memoir and speak about the obstacles she’s overcome throughout her life.
Laverne Cox’s memoir, “Transcendent,” will be released to the public on June 9, 2026.
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