By Kimberley McLeod

Back in 2012, while I served as the director of communications at the National Black Justice Coalition (the nation’s leading Black LGBT civil rights organization), I helped coordinate an unprecedented town hall led by Black trans women. Actress Laverne Cox served as the moderator and dropped some serious knowledge. She gracefully towered over the podium and masterfully facilitated a nuanced conversation about trans panic, access to healthcare, and more (view a clip here). Having had the privilege to work with Laverne for years in various capacities related to LGBT advocacy, it has been no surprise to not only witness her career skyrocket but to watch her bring a social justice lens to everything she does. As the Orange Is the New Black star gears up for the release of her documentary The T Word, which will air on MTV and Logo Friday, October 17 at 7pm ET/PT, she caught up with some press, including ELIXHER. The special follows seven trans youth ages 12 to 24 as they overcome bullying, dating and violence after coming out to friends and family. Here’s what she had to say:

On her hopes for the documentary and what people can expect…

“I hope it just humanizes them. There’s a little ‘Trans 101′ at the beginning. We have to educate people a little bit. When we’re truthful about our stories, it helps us connect as human beings. Hopefully through that connection we can break down some of the misconceptions. We’re not a monolith. These young people represent some of the diversity in the trans community.”

On what she has learned from producing The T Word…

“I’ve had a pretty challenging life then I think about what this group of young people have gone through. I don’t know I could go through what they’ve gone through and come out so empowered and so enthusiastic about changing the world around me. They really affirm how resilient young people are.”

On her recent success…

“I’m on a really great show that’s insanely popular. I’m extremely lucky. The internet has really given trans folks a platform. The support I’ve gotten has reverberated in an amazing way.”

On the role of youth in trans advocacy…

“Young people tend to be more optimistic and politically activated. Maybe when people get older, they get more jaded. Every young person on this show believes they can change the world around them. It’s up to all of us to not disappoint them.”

On intersectionality…

“I can’t help but think about what my sister Lourdes Ashley Hunter said at a vigil for Islan Nettles. She said, ‘If you are in an LGBT organization and there are no people of color on staff, you are part of the problem.’ At the end of the day, we need people of color seated at the table, in positions of power — not only at LGBT organizations, but also in media. I try to give these young people a space to tell their stories and not in a tokenized way.

It’s important to look at things with an intersectional lens. The LGBT agenda must be broader than marriage. Mass incarceration, nondiscrimination laws — those things are all important.

I was speaking at Columbia and this young person that was tarns and deaf explained that they weren’t threatened just because they were trans. They weren’t threatened just because they were deaf. They had been threatened because they were at the intersection of all those identities. I have been harassed at the intersections of these identities, not just because I am trans, not just because I’m Black.”

On dismantling patriarchy…

“The LGBTQ movement has to be a feminist movement. It has to be really interested in dismantling patriarchy. People who are murdering trans women are people who are invested in patriarchy. We must dismantle patriarchy in society at large and within LGBT community. Operating through a feminist critique opens up ways for us to do that.”

On what’s next…

“Continuing to multiply the voices out there.”

Kimberley McLeod is a media strategist and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) advocate. She is the founder and editor-in-chief of ELIXHER.