http://www.buzzfeed.com/thomaspagemcbee/how-actress-laverne-cox-broke-the-trans-glass-ceiling
Author: Thomas Page McGee Source: BuzzFeed

"In Neflix's highly anticipated new series, Orange Is the New Black, a trans woman is actually played by...a trans woman."

Laverne Cox, an black MTF, has played prostitutes multiple times in her career, but is now out of that typecast by playing Sophia, a pre-transition firefighter who transitions during the season and ends up in prison. During the seasons, she gets misgendered, is cut off from HRT and struggles with hair regrowing on her chin, etc.

' "I don't know of a trans character on television played by a trans person that has as much humanity as this character," Cox says. It's true. Generally, trans folks are portrayed as tragic or heroic, but Sophia is multidimensional and complex, part hard-won confidence, part sweet underbelly. '

Looks interesting.

I mean, who can pass up a bad girls in prison show?

Well, definitely a thumbs up for effort. A trans character actually played by a trans person. But......... Did she have to be a convicted felon? No way she could be a police officer, lawyer, doctor, or some other legitimate member of society ! I'm not saying they couldn't make her character flawed or less than perfect, but a felon? 

Quote from: DaniStarr on July 07, 2013, 12:55:15 AM
Well, definitely a thumbs up for effort. A trans character actually played by a trans person. But......... Did she have to be a convicted felon? No way she could be a police officer, lawyer, doctor, or some other legitimate member of society ! I'm not saying they couldn't make her character flawed or less than perfect, but a felon? 

Yeah reading the article, I was excited seeing that she was a firefighter, then suddenly, she's in prison. I wonder what she did to get in there. But, I think they're going to bring in some social issues, like the actress said studies shows black MTFs have a higher rate of being incarcerated.

I suggest watching the trailer as well as reading the article.

Quote from: Edge on July 09, 2013, 01:43:06 PM
I suggest watching the trailer as well as reading the article.

The trailer that's in the article or is there one elsewhere? I did watch the one that's with the article.

Piper Kerman, 'Orange Is The New Black' Author, Talks Treatment Of Transgender Inmates (VIDEO)
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/09/orange-is-the-new-black-transgender_n_3568728.html?utm_hp_ref=gay-voices
Author: Christopher Rudoph Source: Huffington Post

Author of the memoir Orange is the New Black, which the show is based on, discusses the transgender woman she met in prison.

Transgender Characters Get a Transformative Moment on Netflix's 'Orange Is the New Black'

http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2013/07/17/transgender-characters-get-a-transformative-moment-on-netflix-s-orange-is-the-new-black.html
7/17/13
Hugh Ryan

Orange Is the New Black, Netflix's original series that debuted on July 11, is no prison TV show by way of Victoria's Secret. Created by Jenji Kohan (the mind behind Weeds), the dramedy portrays with nuance its diverse cast of characters—prisoners, lesbians of color, poor people, and even WASPs. And, most shockingly, a transgender woman of color—played by a transgender woman of color.

For the first time in TV history, a transgender character is at the forefront of a show and being portrayed by a black transgender woman. (Transgender is an umbrella term that also includes transsexuals.) Laverne Cox plays Sophia Burset, a former firefighter sent to prison for using credit cards stolen from the wreckage of fires she helped put out. In prison, she acts as a hairdresser, friend, and political conscience for the other prisoners, while also trying to ensure access to her female hormones and repairing her relationship with her wife and son.

Thank God.  Finally a person on a show I can identify with - les the prison experience of course..

Great

Shes pretty. A good representative of us .

Hmm. I was kinda hoping that she would be playing a ciswoman. But this is a step in the right direction, I guess.