Painting social change on a body canvas. Transgender bodies and their social impact

This chapter explores the life and artistic production of media celebrity Laverne Cox to show that––while incorporating certain aspects of masculinity (and femininity) perceived as positive––this transgender individual fails to produce other signs commonly deemed “appropriate” in terms of masculinity (and femininity) across the diversity of personal differences. In doing so, the performer of this identity “queers” social conditions which promote heterosexualities as natural and desirable, in addition to producing messages aimed at combating violence and ameliorating human behaviour in society. Indeed, Cox’s openly declared purpose is that of producing a counter-discourse intended not so much to balance out power distribution within the existing range of possible manifestations of masculinity (and femininity) as, rather, to bring about wider social improvement.