MTV and Logo TV to air 'Laverne Cox Presents: The T Word'

LOS ANGELES (Variety.com) - "Orange is the New Black's" Laverne Cox is getting the word out about transgender youth.

Working with MTV and Logo TV, which will simultaneously premiere the special, the actress and transgender advocate will host and produce "Laverne Cox Presents: The T Word" at 7 p.m. on Oct. 17, coinciding with LGBT Spirit Day on Oct. 16.

The hour-long documentary will look at seven transgender youth from across the country and their determination to lead their lives as the people they are meant to be. The film examines the struggles of coming out, bullying, and anti-transgender violence for the youth as well as the intersection of transgender identities and race in their lives.

"For many of us, the 'T' in LGBT means more than transgender, it also means truth," said Cox. "The cast members in this documentary are fearlessly living their truths and in sharing their stories will send the message to other trans youth that it's okay to be who you are."

The special profiles:

Ari, an 18-year-old man from Manhattan, who graduated from high school and is starting college. Avery, a 20-year-old woman from Queens, New York, who shares her experiences dating. Daniella, a 20-year-old woman from the Bronx, New York, who speaks out against anti-transgender violence. Kye, a 24-year-old man in Brooklyn, New York, who became the first Division One transgender basketball player. L'lerret, a 20-year-old woman attending college in New Orleans, Louisiana, where she is an active member of BreakOUT!, a group fighting criminalization of transgender youth. Shane, a 22-year-old man from Baltimore, Maryland and a college student living with his girlfriend. Zoey, a 12-year-old girl from California, who is supported by her mother and transferred out of her last school when the school administrators refused to acknowledge her as a girl.

Following the documentary, Logo and MTV.com will host an hour-long "Trans Forum" where Cox and MTV news correspondent SuChin Pak will further discuss transgender issues and answer questions from audience members and from those on social media.

The project comes at an opportune time, as Cox will also guest-star on MTV's LGBT-focused comedy "Faking It" on Oct. 14.