Many critics and cultural watchers are rightly identifying the presence of Laverne Cox in Orange is the New Black as one of the series’ greatest strengths, and it’s really emblematic of what the show stands for as a whole. So many of the stories it tells are about people that are sadly underrepresented in media, and its commitment to diving deep into worlds with which many remain personally unfamiliar is crucial. The results of an enormous influx in gay and lesbian representation in TV and movies are abundantly clear today, with the culture showing massive shifts in support of and awareness about gay rights issues. Transgendered characters like Sophia in Orange are just as vital. So that’s another thing it deserves some kudos for. I’d say more but I feel ignorant about it in a way that makes me even more grateful for shows like this.
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