“Pose,” set within the “ball culture” in 1980s New York, is compelling and highly relatable, even to those who are straight and living in, say, Salt Lake City. That’s the genius of the series — it tells the story of minority gay and trans characters in 1987, but in a way that everyone can relate to.
The series is filled with transgender characters, but it’s far less about them transitioning than it is about them. Janet Mock, a trans activist who is a writer/producer on the project, said she is “most interested … by the fact that we see trans characters beyond the struggle with their bodies.