Top 3 Reasons Why All Women Should Be Watching The L Word

Die-hard fans of popular Showtime drama The L Word are waiting patiently for the Season 4 premiere set to air January 7. The L Word follows a group of Los Angeles lesbians and their friends and lovers as they search for love while trying to develop successful careers at the same time. I have been a huge fan of The L Word since I rented the entire first season after it came out on DVD. And, I'm a straight woman. Here's my top 3 reasons why all women should be watching The L Word, regardless of sexuality or age (provided you're over the age of 17).

1. Fans of The L Word wept last season when beloved character Dana succumbed to breast cancer at the young age of 32. Following the episode in which she passed, The L Word aired a short memorial to Dana's character, featured interviews with the cast and crew of The L Word, and delivered important information regarding breast cancer. Fact of the matter is, though older women are at an increased risk of breast cancer, the disease can strike anyone, regardless of health or age. Dana's character was an athlete on The L Word, a professional tennis player who ate well and exercised regularly, all of which did not save her from getting breast cancer or dying from it. I'm sure all women have heard this before, but the best chance of defeating breast cancer involves early detection. Conduct regular breast self-exams beginning in your 20s and start having clinical breast exams by a professional every three years. Women age 40 and over should have a yearly mammogram to help detect breast cancer in its earliest stages. The L Word is not only a show about lesbians, it brings attention to serious women's issues.

2. The L Word explores other kinds of sexuality besides homosexuality. Main character Alice is a self-described bisexual, and newcomer Max/Moira is a gay woman beginning the transition to becoming a man. Even Tina, one half of the leading, albeit currently estranged couple of Tina and Bette, was a heterosexual before meeting Bette and is currently dating a man on the show. If you're rather ignorant of such differences in sexuality among women, The L Word can help you navigate through some of the confusion. This is especially useful if you happen to have a homosexual, bisexual or transgendered friend whom you just can't seem to relate to anymore. The L Word draws attention to the fact that no matter what your sexual orientation, all women go through the same pain, loss, heartache and happiness.

3. Sexuality aside, The L Word takes a look at some of the problems all women have probably had to deal with at some point or another, including the struggle for respect in the workplace, adultery, self-confidence and commitment. These issues transcend both sexuality and gender. Fans of The L Word have watched Bette deal with control issues as her relationship with Tina unravels and she struggles for professional success. We have seen Alice deal with the heartache of losing Dana after their breakup, and we still sympathized with her even though some of the things she did were probably prosecutable. And fans of The L Word have seen Shane make the leap into a committed relationship with Carmen, only to leave her at the altar at the end of Season 3. All women struggle with these same issues in the quest for their identities. Just because The L Word girls happen to be lesbians, doesn't mean that all women can't relate to what goes on in their worlds.

Because The L Word deals with such important issues to all women, regardless of sexuality, it is a vital show to watch. The L Word has consistently broken tradition and explored very controversial subjects, making the show that much more important to watch in an age when gay marriage is one of the most important civil rights issues of our time. Tune in on January 7 to see the Season 4 premiere of The L Word and learn why the show should be watched by all women.