“The L Word” Cast Speak at the White House for LGBTQ+ Rights During Lesbian Visibility Week

In honor of Lesbian Visibility Week, the cast of “The L Word” went to the White House on April 25 to speak to the press about issues affecting LGBTQ+ people. Stars Leisha Hailey, Jennifer Beals and Kate Moennig – who play Alice, Bette and Shane respectively in the original series and the three-season reboot “The L Word: Generation Q” – were joined by original series creator Ilene Chaiken and White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre. The White House tweeted a stream of their looks, and Chaiken and Hailey, who are both lesbians, urged queer people and their allies to speak out and keep fighting in the current political climate.

Jean-Pierre, who, Chaiken noted, is the first openly lesbian press secretary, said that “The L Word” and “Gen Q” are “two Showtime series that show the friendship, the love, the challenges and the triumphs of strong, funny and resilient queer women.” The press secretary shared that she was actually an extra in the “Generation Q” finale, in which Beals’ Bette finally married Tina (Laurel Holloman). After the cast appeared in the press room, Jean-Pierre said they would meet LGBTQ+ staff to discuss the administration’s work.

Chaiken said in part, “When ‘The L Word’ debuted in 2004, we too achieved a few firsts by bringing our stories into homes and communities around the world. We learned through the wonderful response to our show how deeply important it is for people, especially young people, to see themselves reflected in our entertainment culture and to know that they are embraced, valued and not alone.”

She continued: “We are facing new threats against our community, from online harassment to legal acts of violence to actual physical violence. Astonishing, backward, petty attacks by groups and individuals who, in their attempt to deny our humanity, only undermine their own humanity .” . . . . We’ve been fighting this fight for generations and we’ll never give up.”

Then Hailey took the stage and said, “I’m standing here today because as a young gay girl in Nebraska, racing soapbox derby cars and wearing rainbow braces, I was seen by my family. Their love and support gave me the courage and confidence to live my life. live openly.”

“Visibility isn’t just being seen, it’s the ability to see,” said the actor. “So to the Texas librarian who advocates keeping LGBTQIA-themed books on the shelves, we see you. To the LGBTQIA people who lead their communities as rabbis, pastors, and ministers, we see you. To the LGBTQIA community in Missouri about to lose their gender-affirming care, we see you. To the LGBTQIA community affected by the Dobbs decision in Idaho, Wisconsin, Alabama, Tennessee, we see you. And to the first openly LGBTQIA- press secretary, we see you.”

“Visibility starts in our homes and our communities, and even if it feels like you’re being attacked, know we’re seeing you,” Hailey concluded before the cast left the press room.

The original “The L Word” aired on Showtime from 2004 to 2009. The reboot – which saw most of the original cast return – ended its third season in January 2023 and was canceled by Showtime in March. Showtime has since removed “Gen Q” from its streaming platforms. Another spin-off, “The L Word: New York,” is in development.

See photos from the cast of “The L Word”‘s journey to the White House below.