*MJ Rodriquez, pictured above as Blanca Evangelista in FX’s drama series ‘Pose’
Last summer, a new series showed up on Netflix’s streaming service. The show was called Pose. Knew nothing about this series, what it was about or its cultural significance. The short preview showcased a reading and dressing down. Was this a series about the fashion world perhaps? Thought about either during further research or just watch it. My boyfriend got the chance to see it first, and encouraged me to start it with him. This series wasn’t anything close to what either of us has expected at the start.
Set in New York’s LGBTQ+ ballroom scene starting in 1987, Pose tells the story of the “houses” of this community-in particular that of two transgender people. One is Dominique Jackson’s Elektra, the mother of the House of Abundance. The other, once a member of this house is MJ Rodriquez’s Blanca, also transgender, who starts her own House of Evangelista after learning of her HIV+ status. The series itself plays out the trials, tribulations, joys and pains of these characters and “children” of these houses.
One of the key factors of Pose is how the lives of these fictional characters intersect with actual historical events transpiring around them. They start off living with the stigmas of AIDS, and how the glamour and competitive edge of Ballroom serves as an outlet for their talents and even conflict resolutions for their feuds and insecurities. The shows two main house mothers play this out. Elektra desires for her and her children to win by any means. Blanca encourages more positive nurturing in her house.
Another (and to me perhaps the most important) factor of Pose is how it’s focus is on a cast of characters who are black and Latinx. Some of the characters are gay men, most others are transgender. And one or two are seemingly questioning. We’re living in a society now where truthful representation is paramount. And the idea that the transgender characters in Pose are played by actual transgender actresses. Therefore, Pose showcases the unique experiences of LGBTQ+ people of color.
By mingling a combination of high drama, actual history and occasional comedy in the shows late 80’s/early 90’s time frame and its focus? Pose is able to do something I haven’t really seen in a lot of today’s more culturally inclusive media environment. That is none of the characters ever come off as hopeless or mopey. As the members of the Evangelista house are facing constant setbacks, someone seems to always be there with encouragement and support as, in the words of Blanca they are “stepping into the future”.
Pose has only complete two seasons. No one knows for sure how or in what time frame it will end. But it has truly done wonders in society. Transgender characters on TV are not only no longer devices to teach others lessons. Or just tragic characters. In Pose, gay and transgender people are depicted bold, determined and often hopeful people-creating a world of fashion and inspiration worthy of the movie stars of Hollywood’s heyday. And all while living in a society that almost innately vilifies them
In the real life America of the late 2010’s in particular? The complexity of personal identity-be it ethnicity and gender itself, is the hot button mechanism to change society for the better. It has seemed to me that sometimes, the younger transgender community in particular may be unintentionally rushing others to totally alter how they view gender itself. That creates its own challenges, even headaches, for those involved. So Pose’s aestetic provides another outlook on gender positivity.
Pose, in reality, has resulted in massive success for its stellar cast. Particularly after its intense second season. The show has been nominated and won a number of different awards. Including a best actor in a prime time drama award for Billy Porter, who portrays the emcee Pray Tell in the series, on 2019’s Primetime Emmy Awards. So while entertaining and enlightening people on the true lives of LGBT+ people in the recent past? The show serves as its own reminder for us to work, live and pose.
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