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After HB2, One Advocate's Fight For Trans Rights Is Far From Over

WUNC | By Laura Pellicer,
Frank Stasio
Published May 14, 2018 at 12:40 PM EDT

Candis Cox was working as a representative with American Airlines at the Raleigh-Durham International Airport when she was thrust into the role of political activist. Cox is a transgender woman, and after the passage of North Carolina House Bill 2, she was told she could no longer use the bathroom that aligned with her gender identity.Meet LGBTQ advocate Candis Cox.

She was invited to meet with lawmakers and soon found herself speaking on podiums advocating for the rights of transgender North Carolinians. Though HB2 is no longer in place, Cox believes its repeal bill, HB142, leaves trans North Carolinians back where they started, with no real protection from possible future discriminatory laws.

Today Cox is a gender and sexuality educator and a staunch advocate for the LGBTQ community. She is also on the board of directors for Equality NC. Host Frank Stasio speaks with Cox about her upbringing in a “tough love” household of strong women and her journey with her gender identity. 

At summer camp, 1993.
Courtesy of Candis Cox /
At summer camp, 1993.
In ROTC in high school, 1998.
Courtesy of Candis Cox /
In ROTC in high school, 1998.
At high school prom with mother, Dakota, 2001.
Courtesy of Candis Cox /
At high school prom with mother, Dakota, 2001.
With her best friend, Thomas, 2004.
Courtesy of Candis Cox /
With her best friend, Thomas, 2004.
Candis and her grandmother, 'Ma,' at a pumpkin patch, 2014.
Courtesy of Candis Cox /
Candis and her grandmother, 'Ma,' at a pumpkin patch, 2014.

Copyright 2018 North Carolina Public Radio
Laura Pellicer
Laura Pellicer is a producer with The State of Things (hyperlink), a show that explores North Carolina through conversation. Laura was born and raised in Montreal, Quebec, a city she considers arrestingly beautiful, if not a little dysfunctional. She worked as a researcher for CBC Montreal and also contributed to their programming as an investigative journalist, social media reporter, and special projects planner. Her work has been nominated for two Canadian RTDNA Awards. Laura loves looking into how cities work, pursuing stories about indigenous rights, and finding fresh voices to share with listeners. Laura is enamored with her new home in North Carolina—notably the lush forests, and the waves where she plans on moonlighting as a mediocre surfer.
See stories by Laura Pellicer
Frank Stasio
Longtime NPR correspondent Frank Stasio was named permanent host of The State of Things in June 2006. A native of Buffalo, Frank has been in radio since the age of 19. He began his public radio career at WOI in Ames, Iowa, where he was a magazine show anchor and the station's News Director.
See stories by Frank Stasio