Laverne Cox Poses Nude to Empower Black Trans Women

Actress and transgender activist Laverne Cox is hoping to empower black trans women with her stunningly beautiful black and white nude photos shoot for Allure magazine.

As BuzzFeed reports, the "Orange is the New Black" star is featured in Allure's annual "The Naked Truth" spread alongside "Furious 7" star Jordana Brewster, "Vikings" actress Katheryn Winnick, "Sleepy Hollow" star Nicole Behaire, and "The Returned" actress Sandrine Holt.

Cox, 30, revealed she initially turned down the photo shoot by photographer Norman Jean Roy but had a change of heart.

"I'm a black transgender woman," she said. "I felt this could be really powerful for the communities that I represent."

She went on to say:

"Black women are not often told that we're beautiful unless we align with certain standards," she said. "Trans women certainly are not told we're beautiful. Seeing a black transgender woman embracing and loving everything about her body might be inspiring for some folks.

"There's beauty in the things we think are imperfect. That sounds very clich�, but it's true," the actress added. "Going through life you try to cover and hide but it doesn't really work."

The Allure issue hit stands on April 28.

In other Cox news, she also appeared on Time magazine's 100 list.

"So deeply honored to be included in this year's #Time100," she wrote on Instagram. "Very special thanks to @iamjazztrans for your special words. I am so very proud of you. You are an example of courage and excellence far beyond your years and our community."

"Orange is the New Black" Season 3 will be on Netflix June 12. The streaming service also announced this week that it has renewed the prison dramedy for a fourth season, which is expected to air in 2016.