Emmy Awards 2016: Jeffrey Tambor, Laverne Cox ask for more trans roles
Jeffrey Tambor and Laverne Cox gave Hollywood the same message at the 68th Emmy Awards: Make more roles available to transgender actors.
When Tambor won Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series for his role as a transgender woman in “Transparent,” he delivered a heartfelt acceptance speech about giving opportunities to trans performers.
“To you people out there -- you producers and you network owners and you agents and you creative sparks,” he said onstage. “Please give transgender talent a chance. Give them auditions, give them their story. Do that. And also one more thing: I would not be unhappy were I the last cisgender male to play a female transgender on television. We have work to do. I love you.”
Later, when Cox presented an award, the transgender “Orange is the New Black” actress echoed Tambor’s sentiment.
“Give trans talent a shot,” she said. “I would not be here today if somebody didn’t give me a chance.”
Perhaps this was all part of “Transparent” creator Jill Soloway’s plan when she said in her acceptance speech that she wanted to “topple the patriarchy.”