Ross Mathews Dishes on Laverne Cox and His Favorite LGBTQ Pop Culture Moments of 2016

Ross Mathews has a busy weekend ahead of him.

The Hollywood Today Live host and Laverne Cox are headed to Washington, D.C. to work as ambassadors for Marriott Rewards’ #LoveTravels celebration, which is part of Pride Month. Mathews will slay on top of the #LoveTravels float for the second year in a row during the Capital Pride Parade on Saturday (June 11). He and Cox will also unveil a transgender-themed collaborative art installation featuring submissions from folks around the world.

"I want people to know that love travels," Mathews told us when we caught up with him earlier this week. "Love is everywhere if you bring it with you, if you spread the word."

And Marriott Rewards will do more than spread the word. For each submission in the art installation, Marriott will donate to the Casa Ruby, the bilingual, multicultural LGBT organization in D.C. Love travels, yes, but it also fundraises.

"It's going to be so fun," Mathews said. We agree, and we're sure a big reason why is Lady Laverne's involvement this year. Unlike many celebrities who benefit from good lightning, Mr. Ross says Cox is just as gorgeous in person as she is on screen. We can imagine!

Cox is best known for playing Sophia Burset on Netflix's Orange Is the New Black. Diversity in pop culture is at an all-time high--thank God!--and Sophia is one of many LGBTQ characters who contribute to the conversation. But who is Mathews' favorite LGBTQ face on screen right now?

"The winners for Best Reality Show [at the L.A. GLAAD Awards] were of course Caitlyn [Jenner's] show I Am Cait, but she also tied with Jazz [Jennings'] show I Am Jazz," Mathews said. "I'm thinking, 'Wow. In 2016, there are two trans women--two very different points in their lives, right?--who are telling their stories on networks. Not just across the nation, but across the world. That's an extraordinary thing.'"

It definitely is. Happy Pride Month, people. Are you headed to D.C.?