Let’s talk about it: politics and romance. 

Because lately, the internet has been talking. And by “talking,” we mean spiraling. Laverne Cox, an Emmy-winning, history-making, trans icon, dropped a political bombshell that had social media clutching their pearls—and not in a cute brunchy way.

While promoting her new live show, Gurrl, How Did I Get Here?, Cox casually revealed that one of the answers to that question might be: “Well, I dated a hot, blond, blue-eyed MAGA Republican cop 22 years my junior.” Yes, sis, you read that right.

And the TL lost its collective mind.

Fans questioned how the “Orange Is the New Black” star—who has long been an outspoken advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, Black liberation, and progressive politics—could fall for someone who, according to her, voted against everything she represents. Comments flooded her Instagram with confusion and some good ol’ drag-worthy dismay. 

“Soooo the morals are dismissed when he’s hot. Got it,” one user quipped.

But Laverne didn’t leave the convo hanging. She posted a 50-minute follow-up video (because when it’s real, you gotta unpack it properly) where she explained, “I never adapted any of my ex’s politics. I always challenged him with love and empathy… and corrected him with facts.” She added that her relationship was, in part, an experiment to see if it was possible to connect across ideological lines.

“Everything Trump is doing, I’m against,” Cox added.

The discourse was in shambles and the comments were pretty consistent.. what the helly?!

So it left us wondering: As a Black person, could you date someone across the political aisle?

Here at MVEMNT, based in the heart of progressive Washington, D.C.—where brunch debates about who’s more “for the culture” between Ayanna Pressley and Cori Bush happen regularly—we had to ask the question ourselves.

Because Laverne’s not alone.

We’ve seen other prominent Black figures flirt with political opposites. Ashanti is still with Nelly after that proud and loud inauguration performance. Saquan Barkley is still at the cookouts even after proposing to a woman who tweets racial slurs with a hard “er.” Even rapper Waka Flocka Flame is still getting dating prospects after becoming an ambassador for Trump’s economic policies all election season. Whew, we’re tired just thinking about it. 

So we’re here to ask, could you take on the extreme sport of dating someone with completely different political views? Even when those views threaten your livelihood?

Some folks see it as an opportunity to educate, connect, and prove that love can transcend the echo chamber. Others are like, “If you voted to defund my rights, we cannot share a charcuterie board, let alone a future.”

And that’s valid too.

Cox seemed to think so: “I wanted to see if it was possible.” She also reminded fans that while we shouldn’t dehumanize people, this ain’t the same political climate as five years ago. “We’re fighting for our lives in a different way.”

At the end of the day, the question isn’t really can we date across the aisle—it’s should we?

And that depends on where your non-negotiables lie. Is it healthcare? Queer rights? Student debt forgiveness? If they’re cute but anti-HBCU funding, is that a dealbreaker?

We’re not here to judge. We’re here to ask the questions and sip our iced matcha with a side of civic awareness.

Cover photo: Could You Date Across the Political Aisle? The Current Social Climate Has Black Millennials Asking the Hard Questions/Photo credit: Tommaso Boddi/FilmMagic