Groundbreaking LGBTQIA+ Historical Exhibits’
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Orange is the New Black’s Laverne Cox to be Revealed as Newest Addition to Stonewall National Museum, Archives & Library’s “Standing on the Shoulders of Heroes” Exhibition: May 7, 2023 at 5:30pm
Exhibits Open to Public for Viewing: City College of New York, April 27 to May 7
Fort Lauderdale, Florida (April 24, 2024) – On May 7, 5:30pm- at a live event with Emmy-award winning actress Laverne Cox– Stonewall National Museum, Archives & Library will reveal Ms. Cox as the 16th LGBTQIA+ historic trailblazer in its “Standing on the Shoulders of Heroes” exhibition.
This historic collection features courageous, awe-inspiring icons ranging from fearless Athletic Legends Diana Nyad and Billie Jean King to Award-Winning Actor/Singer Billy Porter, Trailblazing Politician Harvey Milk and Civil Rights Leader and First African American Congresswoman from the South Barbara Jordan and more. Curated in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, along with its sister exhibit, “Never Silent,” it heads to New York City from the City of Brotherly Love.
“‘Never Silent’ recognizes the importance of history; highlighting past and present examples that show how obstacles can only be overcome when we know what and who have come before,” said Robert Kesten, Executive Director, Stonewall National Museum, Archives and Library. “Bringing these two poignant exhibitions to major cities across America is essential at a time when we have limited trust in sources of information and when our community is under attack. Standing in New York City, alongside a fearless advocate and talent like Laverne Cox, should make it clear that individuals do make a difference. She is living proof.”
‘STANDING ON THE SHOULDERS OF HEROES’ and ‘NEVER SILENT’:
Historical LGBTQIA+ Exhibitions Curated by Stonewall National Museum, Archives & Library
EXHIBITS OPEN TO PUBLIC: April 27 to May 7
LIVE EVENT HONORING LAVERNE COX: May 7 at 5:30pm
The City College of New York
The Great Hall of Shepard Hall
160 Convent Avenue
New York, New York
“We are so close to having the world we want…but so are they.” – Robert Kesten
About Stonewall National Museum, Archive & Library:
Stonewall National Museum, Archives & Library is one of the largest and most significant LGBTQIA+ archives and libraries in the world, with a 12-month schedule of exhibitions and public programs, including author presentations, films, panel discussions, and collaborative events at its museum and library in South Florida and in cities across the United States.
Emmy-award winning actress Laverne Cox rose to prominence with her role as Sophia Burset on the Netflix series Orange Is the New Black, becoming the first transgender person to be nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award in an acting category. In 2015, she won a Daytime Emmy Award in Outstanding Special Class Special as executive producer for Laverne Cox Presents: The T Word, making her the first trans woman to win the award. In 2017, she became the first transgender person to play a transgender series regular on U.S. broadcast TV as Cameron Wirth on CBS’s Doubt. Cox has been noted by her LGBT peers, and many others, for being a trailblazer for the transgender community, and has won numerous awards for her activist approach in spreading awareness. Her impact and prominence in the media has led to a growing conversation about transgender culture, specifically transgender women, and how being transgender intersects with one’s race. She is the first transgender person to be on the cover of Time magazine, be nominated for a Primetime Emmy, and have a waxwork in Madame Tussauds, as well as the first transgender woman to win a Daytime Emmy as an executive producer. In May 2016, Cox was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from The New School in New York City for her progressive work in the fight for gender equality. Ms. Cox will be the newest addition to the Stonewall Museum & National Archive “Standing on the Shoulders of Heroes”exhibit.
