LAVERNE is a feminine English name, derived from Latin, meaning 'spring'; surely he refers here to LAVERNE COX (1972- ). American actress, reality TV star, television producer, and LGBT rights advocate]? She is known for her role as Sophia Burset in the Netflix series Orange Is the New Black, in 2015 and 2016. the first transgender woman to be nominated for an Emmy in the category of best actress, and the first to be nominated for an Emmy since composer Angela Morley in 1990. First trans to appear on the cover of Time magazine.