At White House, 'L Word' cast praises Biden's LGBTQ record

WASHINGTON (AP) – Cast members and producers of the Showtime series “The L Word” praised President Joe Biden on Tuesday for his support of LGBTQ rights.

The groundbreaking show followed the lives of gay friends in Los Angeles, battling romance and careers. Actors Leisha Hailey, Jennifer Beals and Katherine Moennig and executive producer Illene Chaiken join White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, the first openly gay woman employed, at a press briefing in honor of Gay Visibility Week .

Chaiken said the LGBTQ community is “painfully aware that our struggles are far from over,” citing book bans and attacks on members of the community. The Florida State Board of Education approved a ban on classroom instruction about sexual orientation and gender identity in all grades last week, expanding a law banning such lessons to grade 3 at the request of Republican Gov.

“They may try to erase our stories from classrooms and libraries,” Chaiken said, “but we are here in the White House today. We will not be erased.”

He praised Biden’s record on gay rights.

Hailey talked about growing up as a young lesbian girl in Nebraska with the support of her parents making a huge difference for her. She has been appearing on “The L Word” for 20 years.

“But visibility is not just the act of being seen, it is the ability to see,” she said. “Even if it looks like you are under attack, know that we see you.”

“The L Word” ran from 2004 to 2009 on Showtime. A sequel titled “The L Word: Generation Q” ran from 2019 to early 2013.