Tonight, the much anticipated second season of Pose will premiere on FX and one of the main themes of the series is love.
Now, I’m not talking about that lovey-dovey kind of love or even the “love is love” slogan many people like to use when advocating for LGBTQ+ rights.
Yes love IS love.
But to simplify it to a general definition that applies equally to all relationships is naive. Love is still very specific and takes many forms, especially if you’re navigating the world as a queer person.
Pose illustrated this beautifully in its first season and if you hit the flip, you can witness the best scenes that prove love is complicated but a journey worth traveling.
Be wary of spoilers if you haven’t watched the first season, and if you have, be sure to tune in for season 2 when it airs at 10 p.m. EST on FX.
1. Blanca fights for Damon to join dance school
As the house mother to Damon, Blanca was clear from the start that she wanted all her children to pursue an education, and the talent she saw in Damon was undeniable. It was so strong that she barged into The New School of Dance to demand he had a spot in the program. Nothing like a mother’s love.
2. Blanca takes Lil Papi back in despite him selling drugs
All kids go astray from their parents’ house rules and Lil Papi disregarded a major rule to not sell drugs. When Blanca found out he was dealing, she had to make the difficult decision to kick him out their apartment. But of course, sometimes a parent’s love can make room for forgiveness, and Blanca demonstrated this process when she accepted Lil Papi with open arms back into the House of Evangelista by the last episode.
3. Blanca attends her mother’s funeral despite being kicked out her house
LGBTQ+ people can have relationships with their birth parents that range from healthy to outright devastating. Unfortunately, many experience the latter, which could lead to youth homelessness, mental health issues and constant feelings of rejection. Blanca experienced some of these things first-hand when her mom kicked her out their home. But she pushed through these emotions to say her last goodbyes when her mother passed away. There’s no guarantee that she fully forgave her mom but when it comes to love, the answer isn’t always so neat. Sometimes you have to just show up and hope clarity comes over time.
4. Keenan wants to date Pray Tell, HIV positive and all.
During the first wave of the AIDS epidemic in the 1980s, many people were passing away left and right, especially queer folks. Adequate treatment was not yet available and though there are still walking miracles from the 1980s still alive today, for the most part, an HIV diagnosis could mean a death sentence.
This didn’t matter to Pray Tell’s new love interest Keenan, however. When the two went on their first date after Pray Tell lost his first lover Costas, Pray Tell revealed his HIV positive status and Keenan responded with “what can I do to help?” He then explained that they would be safe if their relationship turned sexual and he sealed the deal with a kiss. In one swoop, a complicated life was made a little smother with the potential of love.
5. Blanca lets Elektra Abundance join her house
Elektra Abundance was WORK throughout the first season of Pose. With a nasty attitude and limited compassion for her house children (or anything else other than winning), Elektra didn’t have too many people by her side near the end of the season.
However, Blanca saw another trans woman and a former mother who was trying to navigate the world just like her. Sure, Elektra was a lot to handle, but she was just too valuable to leave stranded and alone.
Only love for your people can have Blanca enlisting Elektra into her House of Evangelista.
6. Angel chooses herself and her family over a man
Throughout season one, Angel took breaks from sex work to carry on a love affair with her white collar bae Stan. Things got complicated when his wife found out he was having an affair with a transgender woman, and Angel’s plans of living a picket fence life with Stan went down the drain. When Stan tried to redeem himself in the last episode of the season, Angel’s plans had already changed. In a wonderful act of self-love, Angel chose her house family over fairytale ideas about her and Stan’s relationship. Hopefully, in season two, she’ll be better off for it.
