An Irish audience negotiates lesbian visibility in the L word: “but it’s not a perfect world and not everyone looks like that”

The L Word is a drama series revolving around the lives and loves of a group of lesbian and bisexual women in LA, executively produced by Irene Chaiken with filming locations in West Hollywood, California, and Vancouver2. The season one cast comprises of Bette (Jennifer Beals) a museum director; Tina (Laurel Holoman) a social worker, Jenny (Mia Kirshner) a writer, Shane (Katherine Moenning) a hairstylist, Alice (Leisha Hailey) journalist, Dana (Erin Daniels) a professional Tennis player, Marina (Karina Lombard) owner of the Planet Cafe, Kit (Pam Grier) a musician/club owner. Of the eight member season one cast Leisha Hailey (Alice) is the only out lesbian. The series began tentatively in 2003 with Showtime3 running a short promo for its new lesbian drama before