Michaela Jaé Rodriguez and more push for better LGBTQ representation

‘Loot’ and ‘Pose’ star Michaela Jaé Rodriguez says the Logo dramedy series ‘Noah’s Arc,’ which followed the lives and relationships of four gay men in Los Angeles, was one of the first shows she saw growing up that they feel represented.

“There were so many people of color on that show,” Rodriguez said Variety. “They brought attention to a lot of trans women. It wasn’t that noticeable, but the girls were there. I saw a very inclusive story in that show about the entire LGBTQIA+ community and it resonated with me, it still resonates with me.”

Rodriguez was honored with the Vanguard Award on Friday evening at the Critics Choice Association’s inaugural celebration of LGBTQ+ Cinema & Television in Los Angeles. The celebration honored the achievements of LGBTQ+ creators and talent within the entertainment industry, both in front of and behind the camera.

“I hope I can be in spaces where the characters I play are more centered so that it gives hope to the youth because that’s what they want,” Rodriguez said. “They want to be able to look at someone and if they want to do a venture, whether it’s acting, singing or whatever, they can have someone they can look at and say, ‘I can achieve that because she got there. ‘ ”

Other honorees of the evening included “Abbott Elementary” star Chris Perfetti for the Breakthrough Performance Award for Television Series, “Star Trek” star George Takei for the Social Justice Award, “Palm Royale” showrunner Abe Sylvia for the Showrunner Award, “Baby Reindeer” star Nava Mau for the Breakthrough Performance Award for Limited Series and more.

Carl Clemons-Hopkins, who was honored with the Supporting Performance Television Award for their work on “Hacks,” said Variety that accurate representation comes from getting more representation behind the scenes: “The more you can show the diversity of the world within the diversity of the industry, the more we can better reflect what’s going on. ”

Sherry Cola, who organized the event, said the evening was about coming together to celebrate the victories, the resilience, the allies and the enthusiasm to continue representing stories that are overdue and missing.

Cola explained that having more representation, like her character Alice in “Good Trouble,” can inspire queer youth: “The industry just needs to take more risks. Take a risk with us. We will absolutely blow you away. We will prove you wrong. We are so layered and multi-dimensional, and we have something to say. And indeed, people will listen.”

The show will air on HereTV on June 21.