Ball culture goes mainstream in ‘Pose’ Cover Story

By Kyla Brewer TV Media

Alot of television series offer viewers typical slice-of-life stories, but TV also has the power to uplift, inspire and educate. One new drama is doing all three by exploring the history of the LGBTQ house ball subculture.

In 1986 New York, LGBTQ performers face off in house ball competitions where they’re judged on their outfits, attitude and dance skills in various categories in the new musical drama “Pose,” airing Sunday, June 24, on FX. Set against a backdrop of the luxury Trump era, the show also explores the personal lives of the performers as they celebrate finding a space where they are accepted for who they really are, while also coping with rejec tion, discrimination, rivalries and more.

“Pose” hails from modern-day TV dream team Ryan Murphy (“Glee”) and Brad Falchuk (“Scream Queens”), along with up-and-coming writer Steven Canals (“Afeura,” 2016). Mur phy’s commitment to supporting the community featured in the show is more than just lip service. In May, he announced via Twitter that he would be donating all profits from the series to trans and LGBTQ charitable or ganizations, and went on to explain his actions to Variety.

“We’ve entered this era of television as advocacy, and I’ve seen the difference you can make in people’s lives by showing up for

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Conan

them, caring for them, and helping them in any way that you can,” Murphy said.

He also revealed he plans to hit up his bosses at 20th Century Fox and FX for donations, hopes to hold fundraisers and is even considering setting up scholarships for LGBTQ youth.

“Pose” isn’t only groundbreaking for raising awareness about the LGBTQ community, but also because the show boasts the largest cast of transgender actors in series regular roles. The show also features the largest recurring cast of LGBTQ actors ever for a scripted series. All in all, the production has employed more than 100 trans performers and crew members. Rather

House of Abundance to form her own house, House of Evangelista. Dominique Jackson (“Visible: The LGBTQ Caribbean Diaspora,” 2018) plays Blanca’s former house mother, Elektra Abundance. In 2016, thousands of TV viewers watched Jackson in Oxygen’s six-episode reality TV series “Strut,” which chronicled the lives of transgender models.

Always at Elektra’s side is Lulu Abundance (Hailie Sahar, “Transparent”), second-in-command at House Abundance. A dancer and singer, Sahar has also been crowned Miss L.A. Pride, and Queen U.S.A. Fashion fans may recognize trans cast member Indya Moore (“Saturday Church,” 2017), a model who’s worked for Gucci and Dior. Moore

An And Transgender Rights

stars as Candy, a member of House Abundance, who can be sensitive about her appearance.

Blanca’s House of Evangelista serves as a surrogate family for LGBTQ youth who’ve been rejected by their birth families. One of those family members is dancer Damon Richards, played by newcomer Ryan Jamaal Swain. Obie Award-winning actress and playwright Charlayne Woodard (“Law & Order: Special Victims Unit”) takes on the role of prominent dance instructor Helena St. Rogers, who takes a keen interest in Damon and becomes his trusted confidante.

A chance encounter with Damon leads streetwise Ricky (Dyllon Burnside, “High Maintenance”) to consider joining the house as well. Burnside rose to prominence thanks to his Broadway role in “Holler if Ya Hear Me,” a musical inspired by the music and lyrics of Tupac Shakur. Speaking of Broadway, Tony Award winner Billy Porter (“The Broken Hearts Club: A Romantic Comedy,” 2000) stars as Pray Tell, a grandfather figure who watches over all of the “children” who compete in the house balls. A veteran of the stage, Porter won his Tony for his portrayal of Lola in the musical “Kinky Boots,” a role he originated in 2013.

KFC announced it is running out of gravy. When they heard, people in Wisconsin rushed to the local Red Cross to donate.

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This is that magical time of year when NBA players fly back and forth from Oakland to Cleveland like they’re regional insurance salesmen.

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Match of the Month

Kinship Partners Inc.

Robyn Hummer was a special education teacher when she met 9-year-old Caylee LeTourneau. She knew from the moment she met Caylee that she was a special little girl from the way in which she interacted with the special needs students.

This is when Robyn reached out to Kinship Partners and said “I want to be Caylee’s mentor!” They have now been Partners for over a year.

Robyn says “We enjoy doing a variety of things together. We go to movies, bowling, out to eat, attend Kinship and school sponsored events, and get together monthly with other Kinship Partners to share a meal and hang out together.” They also take time to spend with Robyn’s former special educations students that Caylee has made special connections with.

Congratulations Robyn and Caylee for your successful partnership and Match of the Month!

Why not start your own friendship journey?

For more information about Kinship Partners, please call

The cast also includes Even Peters (“American Horror Story”) and Kate Mara (“House of Cards”) as affluent New Jersey couple Stan and Patty Bowes. As they are drawn into the glamour and intrigue of 1980s New York, Stan begins seeing Angel on the side. James Van Der Beek (“Dawson’s Creek”) portrays Stan’s kingpin boss, Matt Bromley. “Pose” marks the television series debut of Angel Bismark Curiel (“America Adrift,” 2016), who plays risk-taker Lil Papi.

Together, the cast, crew and writers tell a story longing to be told as LGBTQ youth still struggle to find acceptance in many parts of the world. It isn’t too late to jump on board as the series premieres its fourth episode, entitled “The Fever.” This week, Candy is criticized during a ball, which intensifies her feelings of insecurity about her appearance. Meanwhile, Blanca is concerned that a medical scare could tear Damon and Ricky apart. But it isn’t all gritty drama — the show celebrates LGBTQ culture with music, glamour and plenty of glitter. Don’t miss this week’s “Pose,” airing Sunday, June 24, on FX.

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Police at Yale University interrogated a black graduate student after a white student reported her for sleeping in the common room. So if you’re black and go to Yale, stay woke!

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