Laverne Cox Makes History - First Transgender Person To Cover Time Magazine

Laverne Cox, the transgender activist and actress best known for her role on Orange Is The New Black, has become the first transgender person in history to grace the cover of Time magazine.

Cox added some advice to the footage of her photo shoot and stated that, whilst she isn't "representative [of] the entirety of the trans gender community," we must all be "willing to let go of what preconceptions we may have of people who are different from us and taking people on their word." She advised many of the people uncomfortable with the concept of identifying the correct terminology for members of the trans and LGBT community to "'Calm down. Relax. It's okay. Who is this individual right in front of you?'" She added "When it comes to terms, trans or gender-nonconforming are two great terms that can encompass a variety of different experiences.

As to the future of the rights of trans people, Cox said the "Trans movement and LGBT movement has to be a social justice movement where we look a issues of race and class and phobia in general."

Read More: Laverne Cox Recalls Childhood Bullying.

Cox tweeted the news and thanked Time for "this lovely b'day present, a cover story to highlight the profound issues trans people face every day." She also added a picture of the cover in which she stands boldly against a white background.