THAT sex scene in PoseOnFX was a powerful moment of onscreen passion, between two queer Black men, that added yet another necessary element of representation to the show
I covered my eyes when it became clear that one of my favorite Pose characters was about to hook up with another one. I didn't want to see it, and I cringed as one of them put the other's hand down their pants. My discomfort stemmed not from what was about to happen, but who was about to do it. But I'll get to that in a moment. By the time it was all said and done, I wanted to rewind the scene and watch it again.
Ricky just received his own HIV-positive diagnosis and is struggling with what his future looks live. He's trying not to think of himself as"damaged goods," and is still keeping his status a secret. In"Revelations," Pray Tell is playing an elder by helping Ricky through all of this, teaching him which vitamins to take and letting him crash at his place. But Ricky has"a thing" for Pray, and, after some takeout and TV, he acts on it.
Queer sex is rarely given the proper artistic treatment, and especially not on major networks. We've reached a moment in pop culture where we've normalized queer relationships but still tiptoe around how they're engaged in the bedroom. A lustful kiss, and perhaps a pair of exposed shoulders, is often meant to signify what happens next, without actually showing anything. Director and writer Steven Canals did no such thing in this episode.
Pray and Ricky kissed deeply. Viewers heard Pray's breathy moans as Ricky went down on him. We saw their naked bodies thrust against one another. Audiences listened to them navigate consent and desire when Ricky told Pray,"I think I want you to have me, too." We watch both of their faces contort in ecstasy from being penetrated. And yes, we were made to linger on Pray's face as he holds Ricky's naked body, butt exposed, in his arms and wonders if any of it was a good idea.
This scene is proof that it is possible to portray gay sex without making it exploitative or pornographic. Normalizing queer identities also means normalizing how queer bodies experience pleasure. That includes those who may be living with HIV, another community who is rarely depicted as being able to experience pleasure post-diagnosis. Pose took its time getting all of this right, and it should be celebrated.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
'Pose' Star Dyllón Burnside Talks Growing Up 'Queer and Black In the South' at Pride SummitDyllón Burnside, who plays Ricky on FX's game-changing series Pose, opened up about growing up 'queer and black' in the South at Billboard & The Hollywood Reporter's inaugural Pride Summit in Los Angeles on Thursday (Aug. 8).
Read more »
Billy Porter on Why His 'Pose' Sex Scene Was So ImportantThe Emmy nominee spoke to The Hollywood Reporter ahead of an in-depth conversation about his career with 'Pose' co-creator Ryan Murphy.
Read more »
‘Pose’ Will Do A Time Jump In Its Season Finale, Says Ryan Murphy – AwardslinePose EP and co-creator Ryan Murphy said tonight that the Season 2 finale of the series will time jump to 1991, and told an Awardsline audience that he’s always envisioned the series ending in…
Read more »
'Pose' Cast Calls Out Cis Actors Taking Trans Roles at Billboard & THR Pride SummitDuring Billboard & The Hollywood Reporter's inaugural Pride Summit in Los Angeles on Thursday (Aug. 8), cast members from the ground-breaking FX show Pose – Angel Curiel, Dyllon Burnside, Hailie Sahar, Indya Moore and MJ Rodriguez – sat down with moderator Jayce Baron of Kills & Tell Networks for a wide-ranging and very real conversation.
Read more »
How ‘Bodyguard,’ ‘Killing Eve,’ ‘Pose’ Evolve Emmy’s Antihero TrendPoseFX's Steve Canals wrote Blanca to be the guiding light of morality: “Just by definition, a hero is someone who folks admire. A hero is someone who is intrepid, someone who is noble. Those are the things that Blanca is”
Read more »