Laverne Cox says she lost 90% of income in anti-DEI climate

Laverne Cox, the Emmy-nominated actor known for her role in "Orange Is the New Black," says she has lost approximately 90 percent of her income over the past two years, attributing the decline to a political climate she says has targeted transgender rights and diversity initiatives. In a recent interview, Cox stated that her corporate speaking engagements and university teaching work have largely evaporated as institutions avoid being perceived as promoting transgender issues.

Cox explained that her work, including teaching graduate acting classes, is now often viewed through a political lens. She cited federal threats to defund colleges and universities that promote gender ideology or Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs as a key reason for the loss of opportunities. While emphasizing that she feels blessed and is not complaining, Cox expressed concern for other transgender individuals with fewer resources. She said there are material consequences to this kind of discrimination and scapegoating.

The actor linked the current environment to policy agendas discussed ahead of the last presidential election, noting efforts to remove terms like gender identity, LGBTQ, and...