Pose: Thoughts on gender, race, and identity
Last week, I finished watching the premiere season of Pose, the new FX series that explores the lives of queer and trans people of color participating in the New York City ballroom scene in the 1980s. I’ll try to keep this post free of major spoilers, as it’s more introspection than a review, but I can’t promise I won’t reveal any important details to those who haven’t watched the show.
I knew that Pose featured trans writers and cast members, and had heard great things about it from the community. But I was resistant to watching it at first, as I worried the (fictionalized yet very real) trans-antagonism, which was even worse in that era, would be too triggering. I also wasn’t sure how well I could relate to a scene primarily populated by trans women and femmes.
I’m very glad I gave the series a chance, as I enjoyed it immensely, despite (or more likely because of) it stirring up a lot of emotions. Though I’m a queer black trans person, I had little else in common with the main characters, and knew nothing about ballroom culture before watching. But I can relate to being perceived as an outsider, and trying to be authentic while surviving in a world that is hostile to anyone who isn’t cisgender, white, and straight.
Back in 1987–88, the year in which the first season of Pose is set, I was a high school senior in…
