Laverne Cox has some advice for this 7-year-old trans girl

People might throw about the words ‘role model’, but Orange Is the New Black’s Laverne Cox put that term into practice after meeting a 7-year-old transgender child recently.

Marlo Mack, who runs a blog called Gendermom, which deals with the reality of being the parent to a transgender child, has recounted the heartwarming moment her daughter came face-to face with Cox when the star made an appearance in her hometown.

Photo: Gendermom

Recounting the story, Mack wrote:”Orange is the New Black isn’t really appropriate viewing for seven-year-olds, but I had shown M. the photo of Ms. Cox on the cover of TIME when it came out last year, so M. had a vague idea that this was someone important who was also transgender.”

She continued: “I think ours were the only kids in the audience. Most of the speech went over their heads. But here’s the message that I hope got through to them: Here is someone who is talented and smart and famous and beloved by the multitudes – and she’s also like you.”

Photo: Gendermom

After Cox’s appearance, the mother and daughter waited for her backstage. Read Mack’s account below:

A few minutes later, Laverne burst through those doors, and the crowd went nuts once again. But this time, a tiny person in a flowery sundress stood between her and that crowd, looking her in the face, waiting to be noticed.

“Laverne waved her Hollywood wave at the crowd, thanked us graciously, and then looked down at the little girl blocking her path.

“Well, hello,”she said.

“I’m M.,” my daughter said.

Laverne smiled down at her. “Hello, M.”

“And I’m trans,” M. said.

“I don’t think Ms. Cox saw that coming. The crowd around me gasped their approval (“Did you hear what that little girl said?”). Laverne seemed at a bit of a loss. She looked around the room. “Is anyone with her?”

I stepped forward. “I’m her mom.” Then I got tongue-tied in the face of celebrity, and forgot how to speak like a normal human. I have no idea what I said.

But M. knew what to do. She went in for a hug.

Ms. Cox crouched down to meet M.’s hug at eye level, and as I frantically snapped photos for posterity, I heard her say to my daughter, “Remember, honey, transgender is beautiful.”

Thank you, life.

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