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Allure are known for their annual nudes feature, showcasing stunning portraits of various celebrities, stripped down to their birthday suit, exhibiting their natural beauty in all its glory. This year, they’ve nabbed Orange Is The New Black star Laverne Cox (along with Jordana Brewster, Katheryn Winnick and more). As a black, transgender woman posing nude for a publication such as Allure, this marks as a memorable point in history.
At first, Cox turned down the offer, but promptly changed her mind when she considered the fact that transgender women are rarely described as ‘beautiful’, if at all, in mainstream media.
“Going through life, you try to cover and hide, but it doesn’t really work,” says Laverne, now 30.
“I said no initially, thought about it, and said no again. But, I’m a black transgender woman. I felt this could be really powerful for the communities that I represent. Black women are not often told that we’re beautiful unless we align with certain standards. Trans women certainly are not told we’re beautiful. Seeing a black transgender woman embracing and loving everything about herself might be inspiring to some other folks. There’s beauty in the things we think are imperfect. That sounds very clich?, but it’s true.”
Cox added: “I honestly just want to make myself happy most, and if other people like it, then that’s great. If they don’t, then I’m still happy.”
Laverne, if you’re reading this, take it from us: you are one beautiful human being.
Check out the behind the scenes video of all of the women who decided to pose nude, their thoughts on posing nude and why they’re doing it right here.
Allure