Transgender star backs puberty treatment

Hormone suppressors can delay physical changes in youngsters

Transgender actress Laverne Cox says she supports puberty-blocking treatment for children considering sex changes after describing her “traumatising” experience growing up.

The star of Orange Is The New Black said going through male puberty was “horrible” and she believed children of any age should be allowed to “socially transition” without going through medical treatment.

Cox, who has previously spoken about attempting suicide during her childhood, said it was exciting that a “new generation of trans-kids” should not have to suffer as she did.

She told the Press Association: “The question of whether or not to place your child on puberty-blocking hormones is one new big issue. Parents should know that this is reversible.

“For a transwoman to go through male puberty is really traumatising – I can attest to that. It was horrible.

“It’s hard to be a transperson. Some people are not able to live in their truth.

“What we must do is make the world safer for transpeople so that being who you are does not put your life in danger.”

Hormone suppressors can delay the physical change of puberty, allowing a young person considering a sex change further time to explore their gender identity.

Asked whether she would have liked to have received puberty blockers as a child, Cox replied: “Oh my God, yes. But I don’t have any regrets about my life.

“What’s exciting is there’s a new generation of trans-kids who shouldn’t have to go through what I went through.”

Cox, 32, became the first transgender actor to be nominated for an Emmy Award in 2014 for her portrayal of Sophia Burset on Netflix series Orange Is The New Black.

Laverne Cox says going through male puberty as a transwoman was traumatising.