The category is…activism.

Set in a gritty 1987 New York, Pose depicts the LGBTQ world of balls, the competitive pageantry scene that allowed a marginalized group to shine, be seen, and garner credibility within the community. The show’s characters are all a part of houses, a family system formed because often trans and gay teens were kicked out of their biological family unit and left to fend for themselves. Having been through this experience herself, when Blanca (Mj Rodriguez) later finds out she is HIV positive, she decides to pay it forward by forming her own house. The House of Evangelista is a refuge for lost souls. Drama ensues as Blana’s house members become a family, competing with other houses for ultimate recognition in the ballroom world.

Needless to say, the series gives a much-needed history to a community whose stories often get buried amidst the Reagan-era, Trump age-of-opulence, Wall Street woes. Apart from the 1991 documentary, Paris is Burning, this community has barely been chronicled. In this way, the show itself is a form of activism. As the general public pushed LGBTQ members to the fringe of society, and the medical community struggled with how to treat the AIDS epidemic, these gay, trans, Black, Latino protagonists are showcased in all their glory. In Pose, it is the wealthy, white, male, bankers and real estate developers who are relegated to the periphery.

Who Are the Characters?

Each character in Pose finds their own way to gracefully fight the system and give back to their community. They do this even though they have little to spare. (Slight spoilers ahead) Blanca offers her children shelter, protection, and support to uplift the community. Her fiercest competitor, Elektra (Dominique Jackson), considers undergoing gender-reassignment surgery even though it may mean losing everything she has. At one point, emcee extraordinaire, Pray Tell (Billy Porter), uses his limited resources to put together a cabaret show to cheer up patients in the AIDS ward. Season two will delve deeper into AIDS activism and dealing with the decimation of a community. Pose’s characters risk everything they have because they don’t have a choice, the other alternatives are homelessness, loneliness… death.

Pose is an exploration of what it means to be a woman. The show unapologetically births characters to us as they are. Characters who are glamorous, confident, females, friends, sisters, daughters, and mothers. Viewers never see the internal struggle around transforming into the women they are because they already embody womanhood in spades. (This show has taught me more about femininity than anything I have ever experienced). The struggles each character faces are all external: the world and how it receives them. Thus further defining womanhood: an elegant battle painstakingly fought in the shadows that no one knows was fought.

Who Are the Minds Behind Pose?

The show’s palpable authenticity comes from the creators (Steven Canals, Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk) collaborating with transgender writers/producers (Janet Mock, Our Lady J), directors, and actors. In fact, never in the history of television has the silver screen shown five transgendered, women of color, who are series regulars.  The commitment to accurate storytelling by using the artists best suited to tell those stories has resulted in a living, breathing statement of what it means to be trans.

To someone in the community, the show offers aspirational figures to look up to, who can help navigate tough situations. To people outside of the community, Pose gives an inside look into the hardships, pain, family, and love. Half-way through the series, you seem to forget the characters are transgendered and their experiences are normalized. It simply becomes a show about a family you want to be a part of, one of unconditional love and acceptance.

Why is This So Important Right Now?

The show rises at a time when trans rights are on the chopping block in this current administration. Trump Tower is even highlighted in Season 1. We are left to wonder, more than thirty years after this show takes place, how far have we really come? Perhaps the answers lie in digging for the stories untold. Perhaps the answer is in choosing to see the unseen and remembering that the loss of one person’s rights, is a loss for everyone’s rights. In the words of Indya Moore who plays Angel, “We need to stop treating respect like it’s a privilege. Respect is a responsibility.”

Pose season 1 is now streaming on Netflix. Season 2 debuts on 6/11 on FX.

If you are passionate about LGBTQ rights or any other progressive issues and you want to learn to be more active on those causes, check out YEA Camp this summer. For the past 10 years, we have been training people to make a bigger difference in the world. We also have a great time doing it. This summer, we have two sessions for teens and one session of YEA Camp for Adults, with folks coming from all over the country to attend. We hope you’ll join us there.

About the Author: Camilla Rubis is a TV Writer in Los Angeles and a volunteer for YEA Camp. She’s currently pursuing the spread of financial literacy to empower and support future generations.

About this Post: Netflix and Activate is a column profiling shows and films that activate us and awaken our inner activist.

The post Netflix and Activate: Pose appeared first on YEA Camp.

Today, there are a million reasons to unleash your inner activist: combating injustice, educating people on issues you care about, fighting for those without a voice, and the general state of our planet (i.e. THE WORLD DESPERATELY NEEDS HELP) are some that come to mind. But did you know that the pursuit of activism can also make you happier?

Here are four reasons following your inner activist will not only make the world better but actually make you feel better.

1. Decrease your cognitive dissonance.

Cognitive dissonance is an idea in psychology that says that people feel better when their actions align with their values. We all have experienced that icky feeling when we are doing something that goes against our core beliefs, such as consuming animal products when we know how farm animals are treated and the effects on the environment, purchasing a pair of sneakers that are not ethically made, or keeping your money at a bank that furthers economic inequity or diverts funds toward the destruction of the environment.

Yet often, we push that inner tension to the back of our thoughts. Following your instinct to do what’s right is an effective way to lift the veil of cognitive dissonance. When your actions serve your beliefs there is a remarkable amount of empowerment, peace, and fulfillment that come with that.

Deep friendships

2. Make meaningful friendships.

One of the great benefits of following your inner activist is that it inevitably leads you to people who feel similarly about the issues you hold dear. Imagine meeting someone and skipping past the awkward what do we have in common icebreaker-ey talk. That is what it is like when you connect to fellow activists. A bond naturally forms because you already know you share a common cause.

Making friends based on a mutual desire to help the world can often result in deeper connections too. We all made friends in school because we had the same interests. We all made friends at work because of a mutual dislike of the boss. But being understood and seen by our fellow activists is profoundly fulfilling and a strong foundation for deeper friendships. These friends also bring out the best in us, join us in our activism, and inspire us to get even more active on a cause we care about.

My favorite aspect of having activist friends is that there is no competition whatsoever. We all want the same thing, so I cheer on my friends who have made headway and continue to make a difference.

3. You actually have a reason to go on social media.

Instead of aimlessly, habitually, scrolling through pictures of everyone’s “happiest” version of their lives (which may have taken numerous shots and carefully worded text to craft), YOU are there with a purpose.

Whether spreading the word about an issue you are dedicated to, educating yourself or other people on a cause, or connecting with others who are passionate about the same things — you are not wasting your time. You are also not feeling inadequate, comparing your life to the people you follow (we all do this) or getting annoyed at your aunt’s narrow-minded tweet. You are focusing on something bigger than you, and following through on your desire to help.

Numerous studies show the way social media and unhappiness are directly correlated. And while it would be great to disengage from it altogether, for many of us, this is not possible. Reframing our use and the ways in which we interact on social media platforms allow us to get the most fulfillment from it.

4. Science says so.

According to a famous psychological study by Sonja Lyubomirsky, about half of our happiness is biologically predetermined. This is called our “happiness set point.” Another 10% correlates to our living conditions. The last 40% of our happiness has to do with our actions — the things we control.

Taking meaningful, purposeful action makes us happy. Working toward other people’s happiness and improving the lives of others increases confidence and decreases depression and anxiety.

We often view activists as disgruntled, angry, combative radicals who alienate people who don’t believe what they do. This couldn’t be further from the truth. In a study where college students were interviewed based on their level of involvement in issues and their personal level of happiness, those with high levels of involvement tested as the happiest.

Ready to spend the summer with your inner activist?

Are you looking for ways to make a bigger difference in the world? Are you looking to add greater fulfillment and happiness to your life? If so, join us at YEA Camp this summer!

For the past 10 years, we have been training people to make a bigger difference in the world and to have a great time doing it.

This summer, we have two sessions for teens and one session of YEA Camp for Adults, with folks coming from all over the country to attend. Not only will it be super fun and help you make a bigger difference on the causes you care about, it might even boost your happiness set point.

About the Author: Camilla Rubis is a TV Writer in Los Angeles and YEA Camp volunteer. She is passionate about the spread of financial literacy to empower and support future generations.

The post How Following Your Inner Activist Makes You a Happier Person appeared first on YEA Camp.