In an emotional Instagram Live streamed on Sunday, September 28, Pose star Indya Moore directly addressed Ryan Murphy, the co-creator of the groundbreaking FX series, calling out what they described as his prolonged silence on issues facing the trans community in the United States.
Moore, 30, who uses she/they pronouns, expressed heartfelt gratitude to allies who have supported trans people over the years, but did not hold back when turning their attention to Murphy. Despite Murphy’s past accolades for Pose, Moore questioned his apparent absence from trans advocacy in the years since the show concluded in 2021.
“The fact that Ryan Murphy has been this silent… like, we really pissed you off that much, Ryan?” Moore said through tears. “Who upset you that much? Janet [Mock] really pissed you off that much?”
Mock, a prominent trans writer, director, and executive producer on Pose, had previously voiced concerns about unequal pay and systemic issues within the production, issues Moore referenced as ongoing concerns Murphy has yet to address.
“It’s like an embarrassment,” Moore continued. “That’s how it feels. You need to address the racism, the violence, and the targeting of people on your productions… You do need to make sure trans people are paid equally.”
A Call to Action
Moore’s 30-minute livestream included both appreciation and frustration, a raw outpouring that shed light on the emotional burden many trans people carry in the face of rising legislative attacks and media silence. At one point, Moore directly tagged Ryan Murphy Productions in their caption, writing: “Trans people need you. We have been coping for too long. Lift us up alongside everyone else.”
Moore’s plea comes at a critical moment for the trans community, as conservative lawmakers across the U.S. continue to push anti-trans legislation, from bans on gender-affirming healthcare to restrictions on trans athletes and drag performers. Many LGBTQ+ advocates have noted that once-visible allies in Hollywood have gone quiet amid this backlash.
Laverne Cox Responds
Moore’s call was quickly supported by fellow Pose alum and trans icon Laverne Cox, who commented under the post: “Love you so much my sister. This call to action, this call to love, this call for empathy, acknowledging each other’s humanity both intra-community and for those who proclaim allyship.”
“I’ve been weeping just like this,” Cox added. “Weeping. But not showing it. But I hear you. I feel you deeply. I’m right there too.”
The Legacy of Pose — and Its Silence
Pose, which ran for three seasons from 2018 to 2021, was hailed as revolutionary for its focus on New York’s Black and Latinx ballroom culture and for centering the voices and lives of trans women of color. The show won multiple Emmy Awards and was seen as a turning point in queer and trans representation on mainstream television. Its cast included Michaela Jaé Rodriguez, Billy Porter, Dominique Jackson, Dyllón Burnside, and Indya Moore.
Murphy, who co-created the series alongside Brad Falchuk and Steven Canals, had previously spoken about the power of television to drive empathy and change. In 2018, he told Entertainment Weekly, “I think the trans community has always needed champions and advocates. I thought now is the perfect time.”
However, Moore is now asking: Where is that advocacy today?
