Laverne Cox made history last year when she became the first transgender actress cast as a series regular on a broadcast show, CBS’ legal drama “Doubt.” It was a major feat for trans representation, and as such, it makes sense that Cox’s next project will explore the on-screen inclusion (and lack thereof) of transgender individuals. A press release has revealed that the “Orange Is the New Black” star will exec produce the documentary feature “Disclosure: Trans Lives on Screen.”
Directed by trans filmmaker Sam Feder (“Kate Bornstein is a Queer & Pleasant Danger,” “Boy I Am”), “Disclosure” will examine how Hollywood has presented trans people and their experiences in film and TV over the past 100 years. The doc will also delve into “the impact of those stories on transgender lives and American culture.”
Feder will produce alongside Amy Scholder. In production now, “Disclosure” is being made by an entirely queer crew, most of whom are trans, and will feature interviews with trans writers, directors, actors, and advocates.
“‘Disclosure’ will contextualize a rich trove of archival footage while exploring the complicated relationship between visibility and backlash,” the press release summarizes, “giving audiences a deeper understanding of how media representation has influenced not only the beliefs of mainstream audiences, but of trans people themselves.”
“Psycho,” “The Crying Game,” “Boys Don’t Cry,” “The Danish Girl,” “Billions,” “Transparent,” and “Pose” are among the pop culture texts “Disclosure” will analyze.
“I have been obsessed for a long time with how the perception of trans people has been shaped by the ways we have been represented in film and on television,” Cox wrote in a statement. “I grew up with images of trans folks that exacerbated the shame I felt about who I was. I am so excited to be a part of the ‘Disclosure’ team — to go on this journey to uncover the origin of those images, so we can leave the harmful representations behind and chart a new future for trans folks on screen.”
Feder added, “Laverne’s steadfast track record as an advocate for trans people, along with her profound knowledge of trans history, make her our ideal partner to produce this film.”
Cox has received two Emmy nods for her portrayal of inmate Sophia Burset on women’s prison dramedy “Orange Is the New Black.” The series returns for a sixth season on Netflix July 27. “The Mindy Project,” “Freak Show,” and the 2016 TV movie “The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Let’s Do the Time Warp Again” are among Cox’s other screen credits. She’s previously produced trans youth TV doc “The T Word” and “Free CeCe,” a doc feature about the violence trans women of color endure.
