Laverne Cox Gets Another Important Honor

Breaking down barriers and negative stereotypes about trans people is just part of a normal day for Laverne Cox. The Orange Is the New Black star has amassed quite a few honors in just a few years, both for her fantastic acting skills and her brave honesty about her identity. She was even the first trans person to be featured on Time magazine's cover. And now, the actress has been awarded a new honor. Laverne Cox will be Madame Tussauds first transgender wax figure, and she could not be more thrilled.

In a statement on the Madame Tussauds website, the actress said,

I am so deeply honored to have been asked to be part of the Madame Tussauds legacy. When I think about being who I am, a black trans woman from a working class background raised in Mobile, Alabama, this honor feels even more improbable and extraordinary. It is my hope that this will be a source of inspiration for everyone who encounters it to believe that their dreams matter and are possible.

It is exciting, of course, for any celebrity to get their own Madame Tussauds wax figure. After all, they don't pick just any celebrities for that. It has to be someone who is groundbreaking enough or popular enough that people will want to take a lot of selfies with them when perusing through the collection. It is not surprising that Cox fits the bill, but that does not make this moment any less exciting. This further proves the huge impact she has had in the LGBTQ community so far, and the legacy she will leave in the future.

Cox's wax lookalike will reportedly debut at Madame Tussauds San Francisco on June 26 during Pride Week. (Can you think of a more appropriate time for the debut? I can't, either.) With the reveal comes a type of recognition that the trans community has not seen before. As Cox brilliantly put it, this will be "a source of inspiration," especially to others who come from similar backgrounds. So many people visit the museums, and will be able to see her amongst countless other groundbreaking individuals. Now that's making a progressive statement, Madame Tussauds!