Laverne Cox Becomes First Openly Transgender Primetime Emmy Nominee, GLAAD Celebrates

“Today, countless transgender youth will hear the message that they can be who they are and still achieve their dreams — nothing is out of reach,” the organization said

“Orange is the New Black” continues to break barriers.

The Netflix women’s prison dramedy scored five Emmy acting nominations on Thursday morning, none more historically significant than Laverne Cox‘s nod for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series. Cox, who plays Sophia Burset on the show, became the first openly transgender person to be nominated for a Primetime Emmy, an achievement celebrated by GLAAD soon after the nominations were announced.

See photos: Emmys 2014: The Nominees From ‘Fargo’ to ‘True Detective’

“From gracing the cover of TIME Magazine, to now becoming the first openly transgender person to be nominated for an Emmy in an acting category, Laverne Cox continues to break barriers,” said GLAAD President & CEO Sarah Kate Ellis. “Today, countless transgender youth will hear the message that they can be who they are and still achieve their dreams — nothing is out of reach. Laverne’s success on a hit series is a clear indication that audiences are ready for more trans characters on television.”

Also read: The Thrilled! The Honored! The Shocked (7, 10, 12 Time Nominees)!: Emmy Contenders React to ‘Humbling’ News

Cox’s character is a prison hairdresser, who is sent behind bars for committing credit card fraud in order to pay for her gender-reassignment operation.

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