Laverne Cox’s body of work in advocacy is as long and celebrated as her performances on screen. She has worked tirelessly championing for awareness and civil rights, so it is our honor to recognize her as Webby Advocate of the Year.

Laverne’s on-screen is a form of advocacy in itself, full of firsts and honors. As the first black transgender person to create and star in her own television show, TRANSform Me. She starred in the critically acclaimed, award-winning Netflix series Orange is the New Black, portraying a multidimensional black trans character on-screen. She was the first transgender person on the cover of Time and the first trans person to be nominated for a Primetime Emmy.

While breaking ground in Hollywood, Laverne has collaborated with organizations like the ACLU to tell the story of the history of and struggle for trans rights. Cox also executive produced the Netflix documentary Disclosure: Trans Lives Onscreen which illuminated the way trans people have been depicted on screen. Transparent about her own mental health struggles and her journey as a trans woman, Laverne understands the true power of empathy and showing by example and a clear, consistent and powerful voice advocating in defense of Black trans lives.

For her ceaseless efforts to use the Internet to advocate for Black and trans people it is our pleasure to name Laverne Cox as the 2022 Webby Advocate of the Year.