representation on TV, the questions arise: Can “The L Word” still speak to the current moment? “One of the things that ‘The L Word’ was originally, that I maintained, was aspirational,” said Ryan, who was a teenager when she first saw the original. You should be able to see and feel moments that feel real, with just a little bit of magic.”A Different TimeWhen “The L Word” debuted in January 2004, the series signaled a fundamental shift in lesbian representation. The clique of intelligent, attractive, wealthy and — perhaps most important — happy women countered tired stereotypes of the angry or suffering lesbian. “‘The L Word’ allowed for the portrayal of different, individuated experiences within a queer community, rather than freighting one or two token characters with the burden of representation,” said Candace Moore, a professor of gender studies and media at Carleton College.

Source: New York Times November 29, 2019 09:56 UTC