How "Pose" Deepened My Understanding of Queer Experiences as a Straight, Cis Woman.

I remember stumbling upon Pose one night after hearing it hyped up all over Twitter. I didn’t know much about the show except that it was groundbreaking for its portrayal of LGBTQ+ characters, particularly Black and brown trans women. As a straight,cis woman, I thought I was already pretty open-minded, having grown up in an era where inclusivity is mostly celebrated. But I didn’t realize just how superficial my understanding of queer experiences was until Pose.

From the very first episode, I loved deeply Pose humanized its characters. This wasn’t just another token queer representation or a side character in a straight person’s story. This was their story, and it was told unapologetically. Watching Blanca, Angel, Pray Tell, and the rest of the crew navigate a world that often rejected them, I started to understand the depth of isolation, fear, and resilience that comes with being queer in a world that’s not always kind.

Yes Pose had so much appeal. But the most appealing aspect of the show is its humanity. The love and caring that all the characters had for one another. Even Elektra had to admit that her reputation as "a cold-hearted b*tch" was just a front when it came to the members of the Houses of Abundance/Evangelista/Wintour. I loved the sense of family that they shared even when they were mad at one another -- even in the midst of drug and alcohol addiction. Despite any ups and downs they always continued to support and be there for one another. This is especially important when considering that they were all abandoned by their blood relatives.

Beyond the struggles, Pose was also filled with joy, love, and community. The ballroom scenes showed me a world where queer people could celebrate themselves freely. It was an escape, yes, but also a way to survive and thrive. The resilience, the chosen family dynamics, the way characters like Blanca fought not only for themselves but for the next generation — it all showed me what true allyship means: listening, learning, and being there even when it’s uncomfortable.

I myself know abandonment. I know what it's like to not be loved -- or properly loved -- by a parent, particularly a mother. I felt their abandonment when Damon's parents kicked him out; when Elektra's mother kicked her out, and when Angel's father rejected her. I related to the reconciliation Candy's parents had to reach about who she was, and the rejection all of them felt when their families refused to accept them as they were. There are so many things about Pose that I relate to -- and not just the fine ass trans women.

I relate to Pose, because it exposes the humanity in people who society says doesn't even meet the standard of people -- the humanity that we all ultimately share. I feel like people of every walk of life could learn from Pose. They could learn about others, but more importantly, they could learn about themselves. There is a little bit of Blanca, Elektra, Pray Tell, Angel, Papi, Candy, Lulu, Ricky and Damon in all of us. And a show like Pose can make all of society realize just how similar we all truly are.

Watching Pose made me realize that representation is not just about seeing diverse faces on screen — it’s about telling authentic stories that reflect the full range of human experience, especially those that are often erased or misunderstood.

I’m grateful to have encountered Pose,not just as a form of entertainment, but as a lesson in empathy. I can honestly say that I have never been more affected by a television show in my 20plus years.