The L Word hits a new low
You know, it’s bad enough that the show is 95% long-haired heteronormative women (and, not surprisingly, the lesbians on the show are played by 90% hetero females).
Now they have to go and make fun of not only butch women, but butch women from the midwest.
Yes, some butches wear flannel.
No, not all of them do.
You know, I was excited that they had a butch character on the show - finally - variety!
I’ve said it before and I’m sure I’ll say it again, Shane is not butch!
There’s a big difference between butch and androgynous. Shane is androgynous.
This new character “Moira” is butch, working class, and from Skokie, Illinois.
She says things like “piss” and “dyke” and she scares all the pretty lesbians in their quaint L.A. upper class utopia.
Because all lesbians - no - all lesbians in L.A. are rich and wear make-up.
Right?
I realize the show’s becoming more and more of a soap opera, and I can appreciate the “Days of our Lives” qualities that it has, but I could do without the classism and butch fobia.
In the previews for next week, Alan Cumming’s character suggests that Moira might actually be transgender.
Because, you know, they can’t have even one strong butch woman on the show, right?
Just introduce a separate character that’s transgender and be done with it, okay?
Don’t dangle a butch in front of us for two episodes and then throw her out.
Because in the real world, working class butches, trannies, and punk rock femmes exist.
I’ve never expected the show to mirror my life or my queer reality, but this is just taking it too far.
I know that many folks in the queer community don’t get butches, femmes, or the butch/femme dynamic. I can work with that. The reality is that butches and femmes exist, and they are not all “role-playing,” nor do all butches exclusively date femmes, or vice-versa. Are all house wives imitating June Cleaver? No. If they are homemakers by choice, they are doing what they do because it is a part of their identity, something as natural to them as breathing - not because they’re trying to be the best stereotype they can be.
Honestly, I expected better from The L Word.
Thanks for the lesbian nuns at the beginning, though.
That was a nice touch.
January 22nd, 2006 at 11:56 pm
Nice post. Have you seen this? http://www.thedword.com/ http://www.thedword.com/characters.html
[reply this comment]
January 23rd, 2006 at 1:19 am
I understand what you’re saying, but I think the L word is trying to show the issues in the community by doing this. They know that they’re only showing a slice of lesbian life, of a more upper class LA slice, and this is what happens when you throw working class butch in the mix. You realize all the stereotypes lesbians hold towards butches, and that shane isn’t butch. I mean, for some of us who live in a world where butches and femmes do exist, it’s obvious. But a lot of people don’t live in that world anymore.
As for the trans element, I mean, most all butches ask that question at some point. Would we be more comfortable as a male, or as a butch? Some, like me, realize they are just butch, and have no desire to change their gender to male. And then some realize they are happier with a transition. I don’t know exactly where they’ll end up with Moira, but they’re using the character to explore these ideas a bit. I hope they keep her as just butch, because it seems that’s how they set her up, but it’s hard to know.
So I think this is where they need to go. How can you address the class issues without bringing someone into the group that is of a very different class and style? How can you address the bias in the community towards butches if you don’t bring one in? Because you can’t do it with the current cast of characters.
What I was disappointed with is how everyone reacted. Especially Tina’s attitude lately. She used to be so happy, and now she’s just an ass. Is it post partum psychosis or what? Cause she needs to be slapped upside the head and support Bette through her mid life crisis. Otherwise, I think the L word is doing the best they can with the world they have available to them. And I’m sure Moira isn’t going to wear flannel every episode. I didn’t even notice it until you said it, to be honest.
Time for a deep breath :-) You never know what they’re going to do with the character, but they’re certainly going to explore issues. It’s the only way to share storylines with the audience.
[reply this comment]
January 23rd, 2006 at 6:56 am
I hear you, but I still believe that they could have a butch character that is just that, butch. Maybe she will just question her gender and then it will reaffirm her butch identity? That’s what I’m hoping for. Not that I’m against having a trans character on the show - I’m certainly not - I’m just against the way they’re going at it, and annoyed by the reaction to the butch character for sure.
[reply this comment]
January 23rd, 2006 at 6:56 am
No but it looks hilarious!
[reply this comment]
January 24th, 2006 at 12:05 am
Yeah, that’s what I’m hoping for too. I think it’d be a good healthy storyline to develop. I don’t think many people realize that butches and femmes exist, without it being about role play or anything else stupid. I mean, I know you identify as femme, and I certainly identify as butch. But I’m not in a typical butch/femme relationship, nor am I really even attracted to femmes in general. It’s just how I feel most comfortable, which is what it’s all about! But we’ll have to see what they do, since I’ve learned to avoid spoilers for once lol
But man, I still want to smack up half the cast right now for their judgement of moira. Yeah, she overreacted a little, but they were clearly not making it easy. Damn LA bastards! hehehehe
anyway, back to work. holy crap, it’s midnight! haha, oh well, still going to work. have a good one!
[reply this comment]
January 24th, 2006 at 10:09 am
Alan Cumming is on The L Word?! Why did I give up Showtime?!
[reply this comment]
January 24th, 2006 at 10:54 pm
Thanks to Reanne for the link to the D Word. How fucking perfect–LOVE IT!!!
Does Mr. Cumming play a dyke? ;)
[reply this comment]
January 25th, 2006 at 6:43 am
naw - just a big old ho to the mo, he is the new manager of her place - “The Planet,” so that she can own the place but not have to manage all the time and focus on her singing career. heh.
[reply this comment]
January 25th, 2006 at 6:44 am
Find a friend who watches it - I don’t have cable, so that’s what I did.
My friend has Sunday night L Word showings with about 10 folks showing up each time. :)
[reply this comment]