Like most self-respecting (albeit then-closeted) queer girl, I found myself conscious of “The Real L Word,” Ilene Chaiken’s 2010-12 spin-off in the reveal that described a generation of us in a single method or some other. At that time the tv series aired, I found myselfn’t interested. It had nothing at all to do with my denial of my personal bisexual identification and everything related to the fact that I was however pissed at Chaiken for carrying out


my woman Jenny Schecter


therefore really, extremely wrong into the period finale for the initial “The L Word.”

Fast ahead a decade after homosexual performers aimed personally and that I discovered my self bingeing all three times in a single few days. A lot of aspects contributed to this unconscious decision. One: I happened to be in the home extend of edits for my personal 2nd queer YA novel call at 2021 and that I anxiously needed mind candy. Two: Showtime hit upwards my personal inbox with a 30-day free trial offer, fundamentally for the new season of “Billions,” a show i’ve never ever observed. Three: Well, I Became interesting.

Back in the day, I found myself a faithful fan of “The Hills,” MTV’s entirely ridiculous, entirely addictive reality crisis about quite, hetero 20-somethings located in LA. “the true L term” possessed similar sun-drenched, sugary sense of escapism — best possible way, method,



method



gayer — plus with an increase of dogs and, starting in period two, a rather lovable kitty. Certain, there’s mess: phony crisis which is obviously staged by producers, most very real screaming in really packed organizations, and really, Romi. Nevertheless, “the true L Word” had many good things that held me personally watching till ab muscles conclusion of Whitney and Sara’s huge gay marriage, instantly Googling what every person’s as much as today, and following my faves on Insta (


hi, Kacy!


) — not to mention dorkily moving around my apartment to


that appealing motif song


. Here’s what we all of a sudden adored:

Strong Coupling

Jill and Nikki are adorable because they squabble over a chandelier and planning a wedding which wasn’t legal at that time but had been very important to all of them on an individual degree. Kacy and Cori keep the notion of a child who might or might not appear, while never wavering within their really love and help for just one another. Tracy and Stamie work out how to balance work, sex, and proper care of three adorable kids — one of who had special needs. I carefully enjoyed the storylines of those three lovers navigating lesbian existence in a straight world collectively. (and I also was actually solidly Team Jill in Chandelier-Gate. That thing was harmful!)

Sweet Crushing

At the outset of period three, I happened to ben’t yes how I felt about Kiyomi, the Hunter Valentine frontwoman whose means of practicing polyamory wasn’t just reasonable to the woman lover, Allie. Whenever Kiyomi found enviably pink-haired and pearly white-teethed Angeleno Lauren at Dinah Shore, however, all bets were off. If they kissed regarding lawn, it had been pretty. If they shyly gazed at each other and giggled during confessional interviews, it absolutely was cuter. And when Lauren couldn’t steer clear of Kiyomi’s home of New York City for example a lot more min? Cutest.

Times With Moms

Have a look, we’re in
quarantine
and that I miss my
mommy
. This might explain exactly why it rained-on my personal face each time a loving mama figure showed up. Whether it was Jill screaming cheerfully when her mom made a surprise visit to help their select a marriage dress, Kacy’s mummy meeting the woman girl for lunch and consoling the woman about baby Charlie, or Whitney’s grandma witnessing Whitney’s lawn Connecticut event, I became in pretty bad shape, y’all. Let us not forget Francine coming out to the woman ultra-glam mother Yoko, which immediately reacted “i enjoy love plenty you,” and Sadjah’s mommy Sarita praising Sadjah’s Vote for Equality peers for residing their particular truth.


”


I recently think it’s stunning obtainable all to stand right up to suit your liberties and fight for just what you really, truly rely on,” she claims.

Genuine, Live Bisexuality!

Would I adore just how Chaiken deals with bisexual characters and storylines? Not at all times. But as a bi my self, I am eager for almost any and all sorts of representation of my people in the mass media (Spoiler: nonetheless maybe not alot!). Nowadays, I’ll just take the things I could possibly get, and I also found it heartening to see Romi with boyfriends in tv show’s 3rd period, plus the ensuing conversations of exactly how bi/queer/pansexual ladies usually feel excluded through the gay area overall. It’s rare I found Romi relatable, but I relished this particular subject that continues to ben’t talked about adequate.

Claire. Enough stated.

Oh, Claire. She left her definitely attractive girlfriend Vivian in nyc to “start a lesbian site” in LA — and shack up with ex Francine (imagine how good that last one moved). She blithely rejected an internship with “But i am a Cheerleader” manager and queer icon Jamie Babbit. And she would drunkenly scream in clubs. Claire was actually the undisputed



queen.



In 2010 two main member ended up being as disorganized as the woman ‘80s rock star-esque blonde shag, and is



exactly



what you need in reality TV. Don’t get me incorrect, I happened to be a fan of the quieter minutes in “the actual L keyword,” but Claire delivered the sheer dramz, and that I was actually here for it. (Also, I was raised not definately not her home town of St. Louis, so hell yeah for other weirdo Midwesterners!)

This Is The Way That We Live

Bringing it to “The L keyword” motif song we-all loved: There nevertheless aren’t countless programs, films, etc. about queer ladies



existing



(chatting, laughing, adoring, breathing, etc.). Even when I happened to be sick and tired of Whitney’s pre-engagement member steps, Sajdah and Chanel obtaining too significant too fast and hearing the millionth difference of “just what exactly’s up with both you and so-and-so,” I relished spending some time with queer women in various stages of the life, just calculating things out. I can’t state We skip the days whenever unscripted shows ruled the airwaves, but “the true L keyword” had been well worth enjoying, not only your club-screaming, chandelier-squabbling and broken keyboard-pouting (poor Somer), but also for the top lady-loving lesbian energy.

Bonus: No one dies in a swimming pool.