"The L Word" is a groundbreaking drama that aired on Showtime from 2004 to 2009 and was based solely on the lives of a group of lesbians living in Los Angeles, California. "The L Word" is undeniably one of the most important shows in queer television history because it changed the way the world perceives lesbians as well as the queer community as a whole. When some people hear the term "lesbian," they automatically assume short hair, men's clothing and butch mannerisms; "The L Word" proves that is not the case. According to an article in The New York Times, "before 'The L Word,' lesbian characters barely existed in television. Showtime's decision in January 2004 to air 'The L Word,' which follows the lives of a group of fashionable Los Angeles lesbians, was akin to ending a drought with a monsoon. Women who had rarely seen themselves on the small screen were suddenly able to watch lesbian characters not only living complex, exciting lives, but also making love in restaurant bathrooms and in swimming pools. There was no tentative audience courtship. Instead there was sex, raw and unbridled in that my-goodness way that only cable allows." Gay and lesbian characters had been portrayed on television prior to "The L Word," but there had never been a show where the focus is queer characters.
Here's what we learned from "The L Word" and why the lesbian community will always love and appreciate it.
1. It taught us how to be a proper gay.
2. It taught us how to defend ourselves when straight people try to give us a hard time.
3. It helped us to realize we are actually gayer than we thought.
*Cue Kate McKinnon*
4. It taught us how to be mature.
5. It perfectly depicted how we felt when we met the first girl we had feelings for.
6. It taught us how to come out to men who are hitting on us.
7. It united us all because we all hate the same person.
8. It taught us how to use our femininity to get what we want.
9. It taught us what to say to Bible thumpers who ask, "what are you going to say to God when you enter the gates of heaven and He reads you your sins?"
10. It taught us more about feminism.
and...
11. It taught us excellent fashion sense.
12. It taught us to watch what we say before we say something hypocritical.
13. It taught us to not worry about labels.
14. It taught us more about our "skills."
15. It helped us to realize we have excellent song-lyric memorization skills.
And last but not least...
16. It taught us how to love.
"The L Word" will always be very important to me personally because it helped me to realize I can be a lesbian and still be womanly, strong, powerful and professional. "The L Word" also taught me how to be comfortable with my sexuality and that there is absolutely nothing to be ashamed of. I can honestly say this show has made me proud to call myself a lesbian. I'm more than positive "The L Word" has helped queer women all over the world.
And if you're a queer woman that has not watched it...
