If you follow me on Instagram or Twitter, then you probably know by now that I am obsessed with the FX television show Pose. Yes, I know I’m tardy to the party because I’m just now discovering the primetime drama. I usually watch popular network TV shows a few months to a year after its release because we don’t have cable.

I also prefer to binge-watch my favorite shows. I just don’t have the patience to sit through commercials or wait a week for the next episode. Netflix and Hulu have ruined me!

I am so happy I found Pose FX because it’s such a phenomenal show! I started watching Pose a couple of weekends ago and I’m already on season 2. I flew through season 1 & 2 so I purposely saved the last episode of season 2 to watch this weekend. There isn’t a season 3 so I don’t know what I’m going to do after I finish Pose! *tears*

It saddens me that there are under ten episodes for each season. Maybe when they start filming season 3, there will be more episodes added to the show. 

Final Thoughts: Pose FX and Support Black Trans Lives
FX’s Pose is my new favorite TV show! (Actress Dominique Jackson. Photo courtesy FX/IMDB)

Pose FX features the largest cast of transgender actors featuring Mj Rodriguez, Dominique Jackson, Indya Moore, Hailie Sahar, and Angelica Ross.

The legendary Billy Porter (fashion icon, Tony Award winner and 2019 Emmy Award winner) also costars in the show and he is amazing! Last year, Porter became the first openly gay Black man to win an Emmy as lead actor in a drama category for Pose.


RELATED: 10 INSPIRING DETROIT WOMEN SHARE THEIR THOUGHTS ON INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY


Final Thoughts: Make Pose FX Your Next TV Show to Binge Watch
Billy Porter plays the character Pray Tell in FX’s Pose. (Photo courtesy IMDB/FX)
Billy Porter, Essence Magazine Cover
Billy Porter is the first Black gay man to grace the digital cover of Essence Magazine. (Photo courtesy Essence)

READ: BILLY PORTER’S INTERVIEW IN ESSENCE MAGAZINE.


WHY DO I LOVE POSE FX SO MUCH?

I love the compelling and dramatic storylines of Pose. Thirty minutes into watching episode one of season one I was hooked! Be prepared to shed a few tears after you watch each episode because this show is just like NBC’s This Is Us. You will need a box of tissues– trust me!

The ballroom performances are fabulous. All of the characters fashion styles are on point and I love the ladies’ flawless makeup looks. Every time I watch an episode, I want to get dressed up and put on my best makeup.

What I love most about Pose is its depiction of what life was like for some Black gay men and the transgender community during the late 80s and the 90s. Taking place in New York City, the show highlights the underground ball culture. The drama also discusses the AIDS crisis and prejudice and racism issues the LGBTQ+ community (particularly Black and Brown communities) faced.

Final Thoughts: Make Pose FX Your Next TV Show to Binge Watch
Blanca (Mj Rodriguez) is my favorite character on the show Pose. (Photo courtesy IMDB/FX)

In a recent Variety “Actors on Actors” interview with actress Zendaya, Mj Rodriguez shared her thoughts on what it was like bringing to life the AIDS epidemic during the 80s and 90s in the show Pose.

“It’s heartbreaking every single time. It’s heart-wrenching, but it feels so beautiful because for a while there was a separation, and it almost felt like people were being left out. When I say that, specifically it’s the African American community. For me, I always wanted to make sure I showed what a lot of people did in the LGBTQIA community to make sure that their loved ones were OK. Most of them were displaced. I wanted to try to at least convey what Blanca was doing.”

Mj Rodriguez (FX’s Pose)

Watching Pose FX also taught me some important historical facts about this time period because I didn’t know about ball culture or the adversities Black gay men and the transgender community had to endure.

MJ Rodriguez plays Blanca on Pose FX. (Photo courtesy FX)

This show has opened my eyes to what issues the LGBTQ+ community has gone through for a long period of time. It has also encouraged me to learn more ways I can show my support. Even though there have been some positive gains made in establishing equal rights, there are still many issues that need to be resolved. For example, individuals who are killed by violence because of their sexual orientation or gender identity is still a serious issue today.

According to the Human Rights Campaign, this year there have been at least “18 transgender or gender non-conforming people fatally shot or killed by other violent means.” The HRC emphasizes, “we say at least because too often these stories go unreported– or misreported.” In 2019, there were at least 26 deaths reported. 

“This is not a new problem. In the seven years that the Human Rights Campaign has tracked anti-transgender violence, an average of at least 22 transgender and gender non-conforming people have been victims of fatal violence per year.”

— Human Rights Campaign

Embed from Getty Images

SUPPORTING BLACK TRANS LIVES AND LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY

Here are a few helpful links if you are looking for ways to support the Black Trans Lives Matter movement and the LGBTQ+ community.

Angelica Ross (Candy) on acting in Pose FX:

“Being a part of Pose, I feel, it’s a legacy piece. For me as an actor, for me as a human rights advocate– Pose is something I’m so proud to have be a part of my legacy of what I contributed to while I was here.”

(Angelica Ross’ IGTV)

If you haven’t seen it yet, I highly recommend the primetime drama Pose FX! You can watch seasons one and two now on Netflix. (Note: This show is suitable for adults ages 18+ for adult subject matter, sex, violence, and language.)


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Written by

Jennifer Hamra

Freelance creative Jennifer Hamra created her blog Good Life Detroit in 2015 after relocating from Tennessee to Southeast Michigan.

Inspired by her love for personal blogging and photography, Jennifer likes to share her favorite Detroit things, from cool places to visit (the hidden gems are her favorite!) to the amazing people she has connected with over the years.

When she's not busy juggling family life and her creative projects, you can find her at an art gallery, community event, farmers market, or spending quiet time at home with a good book and cup of tea.

Jennifer lives in the metro Detroit area with her husband Travis and their six children.

Connect with Jennifer on social media @goodlifedetroit on all social media platforms or via email at [email protected].