I Binge Watched All “The Real L Word” In A Week. Listed Here Are My Feelings. | GO Mag

Like any self-respecting (albeit then-closeted) queer lady, I was alert to “the actual L keyword,” Ilene Chaiken’s 2010-12 spin-off of the demonstrate that identified a generation of us in a single means or some other. At that time the tv series broadcast, I wasn’t interested. It had nothing in connection with my personal denial of my bisexual identification and every thing to do with the truth that I found myself still pissed at Chaiken for doing


my girl Jenny Schecter


so really, really incorrect into the season finale on the original “The L keyword.”

Fast onward 10 years if the gay stars lined up for me personally and that I found myself bingeing all three periods in one week. Lots of elements contributed to this involuntary choice. One: I happened to be in your home extend of edits for my personal next queer YA novel in 2021 and I also anxiously needed head chocolate. Two: Showtime hit right up my inbox with a 30-day free trial, evidently for your year of “Billions,” a show i’ve never watched. Three: Really, I Became inquisitive.

Back in the day, I became a dedicated fan of “The Hills,” MTV’s utterly absurd, entirely addicting truth drama about quite, hetero 20-somethings located in Los Angeles. “The Real L phrase” had alike sun-drenched, sugary sense of escapism — best way, way,



means



gayer — plus with additional canines and, starting in season two, a tremendously lovable kitty. Positive, there’s mess: artificial drama which is plainly staged by producers, countless real yelling in really congested organizations, and well, Romi. Nevertheless, “the actual L term” had most good things that kept myself enjoying till the very conclusion of Whitney and Sara’s big homosexual wedding ceremony, straight away Googling exactly what every person’s to these days, and after my personal faves on Insta (


hi, Kacy!


) — and of course dorkily dancing around my personal apartment to


that catchy theme tune


. Here is what I all of a sudden adored:

Solid Coupling

Jill and Nikki are adorable as they squabble over a chandelier and planning a wedding that wasn’t legal at that time but had been necessary for them on your own amount. Kacy and Cori keep the idea of an infant just who may happen, while never ever wavering within their love and support for 1 another. Tracy and Stamie learn how to stabilize work, intercourse, plus the proper care of three adorable young ones — among whom had unique requirements. I carefully enjoyed the storylines of the three partners navigating lesbian life in a straight globe together. (And I had been securely Team Jill in Chandelier-Gate. That thing was actually hazardous!)

Pretty Crushing

At the beginning of period three, I happened to ben’t positive how I believed about Kiyomi, the Hunter Valentine frontwoman whose method of practicing polyamory was not exactly fair to her lover, Allie. When Kiyomi came across enviably pink-haired and pearly white-teethed Angeleno Lauren at Dinah Shore, but all bets happened to be off. Once they kissed on garden, it was pretty. Once they shyly gazed at one another and giggled during confessional interviews, it was cuter. And when Lauren couldn’t steer clear of Kiyomi’s house of the latest York City for starters even more min? Cutest.

Minutes With Mothers

Have a look, we’re in
quarantine
and that I neglect my
mommy
. This may clarify why it rained-on my face each time an enjoying mother figure appeared. Whether or not it ended up being Jill screaming cheerfully whenever the woman mommy made a surprise visit to help this lady pick a marriage gown, Kacy’s mother meeting her child for meal and consoling her about infant Charlie, or Whitney’s grandma witnessing Whitney’s yard Connecticut Wedding, I was a mess, y’all. Let us not forget Francine being released to her ultra-glam mom Yoko, whom right away responded “I like love a great deal you,” and Sadjah’s mother Sarita praising Sadjah’s Vote for Equality colleagues for residing their particular fact.


”


I simply think that it is stunning for you all to face upwards for your liberties and battle for what you really, undoubtedly have confidence in,” she states.

Real, Alive Bisexuality!

Perform Everyone loves just how Chaiken manages bisexual characters and storylines? Not necessarily. But as a bi me, I am eager for as well as representation of my folks in the mass media (Spoiler: nevertheless not many!). Nowadays, we’ll get the things I get, and that I think it is heartening to see Romi with boyfriends for the tv show’s third season, in addition to the causing conversations of exactly how bi/queer/pansexual ladies frequently feel omitted from homosexual neighborhood all together. Its rare I found Romi relatable, but We relished this specific subject that is stilln’t talked about adequate.

Claire. Enough mentioned.

Oh, Claire. She remaining her absolutely gorgeous girlfriend Vivian in nyc to “start a lesbian website” in Los Angeles — and shack with ex Francine (imagine how good that finally any went). She blithely rejected an internship with “But I’m a Cheerleader” movie director and queer symbol Jamie Babbit. And she would drunkenly scream in organizations. Claire was actually the undisputed



queen.



In 2010 two main user had been as unpleasant as her ‘80s rock and roll star-esque blond shag, that is



just



what you would like actually TV. Do not get me wrong, I was keen on the quieter moments in “the actual L Word,” but Claire delivered the pure dramz, and I was actually right here because of it. (Also, I spent my youth maybe not definately not her home town of St. Louis, so hell yeah for other weirdo Midwesterners!)

Here Is The Way That We Live

Bringing it back once again to “The L term” theme song we liked: There nevertheless aren’t plenty of shows, movies, etc. about queer females



present



(talking, laughing, adoring, inhaling, etc.). Even when I found myself sick and tired of Whitney’s pre-engagement member means, Sajdah and Chanel obtaining as well major too fast and reading the millionth difference of “just what’s with you and so-and-so,” I relished spending some time with queer women in numerous stages of their resides, merely calculating circumstances away. I cannot say I skip the days whenever unscripted shows ruled the airwaves, but “The Real L term” had been really worth seeing, not merely your club-screaming, chandelier-squabbling and damaged keyboard-pouting (poor Somer), however for the big lady-loving lesbian energy.

Incentive: nobody dies in a swimming pool.