Sol Garcia | THE RIDER
Lately, it’s hard to find a show with great LGBTQ+ representation. Most shows make one character homosexual, and that’s it. There will probably be one episode featuring them coming out in a scene that makes viewers gush, but there’s no real depth to these characters.
Well, “Pose” beautifully combats that with its diverse cast.
Taking place in the ’80s, Blanca Rodriguez-Evangelista creates her own “house,” meaning she adopts young adults that society rejects. Our Blanca is a trans woman, and she knows what it feels like to be an outcast.
Damon, Ricky, Lil Papi and Angel join her house, each character special in their own way. In the first episode, Damon is kicked out of his parents’ home for being gay. Ricky and Lil Papi are in need of a home, as well. Lil Papi has had no choice but to turn to selling drugs. As for Angel, she is also a trans woman and has had to become an escort.
Once Bianca adopts them, they are ready to take on the fabulous but cunning Elektra, Bianca’s former “mother,” in the ballroom. The ballroom, mainly for Blacks, Latin Americans and every sexuality or gender, is a place to compete together in dancing, modeling and voguing categories. Most importantly, though, ballroom culture allows these individuals to be seen in a world that would rather shun them away.
While modern-day society associates the word “pandemic” with COVID-19, this show is fighting another one: AIDS. One of the most anxiety-stirring scenes will be when Damon, Ricky, and Lil Papi are waiting with Pray Tell, Blanca’s good friend and ballroom host, for their test results.
If you hate biting your nails and crying ugly tears, this show is not for you. “Pose” will twist your heart, especially when, [small spoilers coming], Blanca attends her mother’s funeral.
Blanca’s family were horrible to her because of her transition. Her family members refer to her by “Mateo,” Blanca’s biological name, and act as if she was dead to them. In fact, her mother tells family friends that Mateo died. Despite this, Blanca shows up to her mother’s funeral, even when her siblings tell her she isn’t welcome. She goes to her family home, which she had not visited in several years. Blanca is overcome by emotion at remembering her mother and her cooking together. She asks for one heirloom. Just one. Her mother’s book of recipes. Her siblings deny her this.
If viewers aren’t crying by then, they will be after Blanca’s brother pushes her up against the wall. He calls her cruel words, and Blanca runs away when she’s given the chance to. The look of fear she has on her face will make every viewer angry. Nobody deserves to be treated like that, especially not from your own blood.
There are so many more moments that are worth watching. More spoilers to come.
When Elektra chooses to get the procedure to medically transition, it’s not without cost. Doing so means she will lose her sole financial means, but she does it anyway. She must put herself first. Every scene with Pray will either end in laughter or more tears, but they will definitely be memorable. Angel, who will always remain as an all-time favorite character, battles herself daily over her identity, her want of love and her limited choices. Damon often has to ask himself which is more important, school or a career.
It has been so long since I fell in love with a show and with each character. I want to thank “Pose” for shining such a bright light on social issues. While the show is set in the ’80s, it shows the ongoing AIDS crisis and the prevailing bigotry that remains. It shows the world the representation we needed to see.
If you have ever felt alone because of your gender, your sexuality, or your identity, do yourself a favor, and watch this show on FX or on Netflix. Right now.
“Pose” receives a sunny rating of ☼ ☼ ☼ ☼ ☼.
Reviews are based on five suns.
