Laverne Cox and friend targeted in ‘shocking’ transphobic attack in LA park

'It doesn't matter who you are,' Orange is the New Black star says. 'If you're trans, you're going to experience stuff like this’

Orange is the New Black star Laverne Cox has revealed that she and a friend were the victims of a transphobic attack while walking through a Los Angeles park.

The actor recounted the incident in an Instagram video, saying that she is “in shock” following the encounter with an unidentified man.

She said she had been walking with her friend through Griffith Park in LA on Saturday 28 November when a man passed by and “aggressively” asked for the time.

Cox says the man then asked her friend, “Guy or girl?” to which her friend told the man to “f*** off”. 

“All of a sudden, the guy was attacking my friend,” she said. 

She continued: “I look back and I’m like, ‘What is happening?’ The guy is like hitting my friend ... I pull out my phone and I call to dial 911, and all of a sudden it’s over and the guy is gone.”

Cox explained that after the assailant had left, she and her friend discussed what happened and agreed the attacker had been aggressive from the start of the interaction.

“Obviously, this is my life. I've dealt with this a lot, but it never fails to be shocking,” she said. “It doesn't matter who you are. You can be, like, Laverne Cox, whatever that means. If you're trans, you're going to experience stuff like this.”

“When these things happen, it’s not your fault. It’s not your fault that people are not cool with you existing in the world. We have a right to walk in the park.”

In the comments underneath, support for Cox poured in from fans and fellow actors. 

“Woman!!!!!!!! Ugh. I am so sorry. Love you,” actor Kerry Washington wrote.

Artist and photographer Texas Isaiah wrote: “I’m so sorry. I’m glad you and your friend are okay. I’m sending love and protection y’all’s way!”

Sharon Stone posted: “That’s a lot to process. You seem like you’re back on solid ground now. Good job.”

The Independent has contacted Cox’s representative for comment.