Watch: Ellen Page presents ‘Orange is the New Black’ star Laverne Cox with GLAAD award
Orange is the New Black star Laverne Cox has been presented with GLAAD’s top media award, by newly-out actress Ellen Page.
The Juno star, who came out in February, praised Cox for her work on Orange is the New Black, as well as her upcoming documentary about trans prisoner CeCe McDonald, and her defence of trans people in the media.
Page said: “Many of you know that I officially came out on Valentine’s day. One of the best things about it was the way it enabled me to publicly show support for the people who inspire me.
“GLAAD gives the Stephen F. Kolzak Award to openly LGBT people who have made a significant difference in promoting equality for the community.
“This year it is an absolute honour to present it to an LGBT icon, Laverne Cox.
“Laverne has educated so many about who transgender people are.
“Laverne is working for every LGBT person, questioning teen and straight ally who thinks the world should be a more kind, passionate, interesting, beautiful place, where we try to bond for the ways in which we are alike instead of attacking eachother for our differences.”
Accepting the award, Cox said: “Thank you, GLAAD, for this amazing honour.
“I’m really overwhelmed, I’m still not used to getting awards… I’m an African-American transgender woman from a working class background raised by a single mother.
“We are not programmed to think we should receive these kinds of awards, but I like to think that things are changing.
“Thank you Ellen, I have been a huge fan of your work for many years and I was deeply moved to find out more of your story a few months ago.”
An award was also presented to Jennifer Lopez, for her work on TV show ‘The Fosters’.
