Watch Pose

Pose is a critically acclaimed American drama television series that aired on FX in the years 2018 to 2021. The show was created by Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, and Steven Canals and explored the lives of African-American and Latino LGBTQ communities in the late 1980s and early 1990s, with a particular focus on the ballroom culture scene.

The show features a large ensemble cast of mostly transgender actors, including names like MJ Rodriguez, Dominique Jackson, Indya Moore, and Billy Porter, who won an Emmy Award for his role as the sassy and fabulous emcee and ballroom commentator, Pray Tell. The series also features several established and rising stars, such as Evan Peters, Kate Mara, and Angelica Ross.

Set in the 1980s and 1990s, the series follows the lives of several African-American and Latino members of the LGBTQ community who are part of the New York City ballroom scene. The ballroom scene was a safe space where people from marginalized communities could come together and express themselves through dance, fashion and song. In this competitive world, participants walked up and down the runway, or catwalk, posing in outfits that represented various themes such as "High Fashion," "Executive Realness," or "Butch Queen First Time in Drag."

Pose offers a unique perspective on the ballroom scene, which was a crucial part of the LGBTQ community in the late 80s and early 90s, but is lesser-known to most of the general public. The show explores the intersection of the various aspects of the characters' lives, which include family, sexuality, politics, AIDS activism, and the ballroom subculture.

The show's main plotline follows the lives of Blanca Rodriguez-Evangelista (MJ Rodriguez) and Angel Evangelista (Indya Moore), two transgender women who are members of the House of Evangelista. The House of Evangelista serves as a makeshift family to many LGBTQ community members who are estranged from their biological families. Blanca partakes in the ballroom culture scene and aspires to become a mother - a mentor who takes in other LGBTQ+ youth in the community. Her desire to mother and guide her chosen family is a central storyline that runs throughout the series.

Pose is set against the backdrop of the AIDS epidemic, a time when the disease was not yet fully understood, and people living with HIV/AIDS faced significant stigma and marginalization. The show raises awareness of the issue and emphasizes its impact on the LGBTQ community. Pray Tell, played by Billy Porter, serves as a tribute to the members of the ballroom community who died from AIDS complications.

The show is notable not only for its handling of historical events but also for its representation of LGBTQ characters. The show features the largest number of transgender actors ever in a television show, and it offers a sensitive and nuanced portrayal of the experiences of LGBTQ people of color. The show also tackles issues such as transphobia, homophobia, and sexism, and the impact that these issues have on LGBTQ individuals and their families.

The show's production value is top-notch, with vibrant attention to period detail and fashion, as well as a fantastic soundtrack featuring music from the time. Overall, Pose is a groundbreaking series that shines a light on a marginalized community, telling their stories with authenticity and sensitivity, and it brings to the forefront the complex experiences of the LGBTQ community during the AIDS epidemic. The show is a must-watch for anyone interested in the history of the LGBTQ community in America and for those who appreciate a well-told, engaging story.

Pose is a series that is currently running and has 3 seasons (26 episodes). The series first aired on June 3, 2018.

Where to Watch Pose