By BetteAndTinaForever Right before the dinner, The L Word cast members Rose Rollins (Tasha Williams), Cybill Shepherd (Phyllis Kroll), Marlee Matlin (Jodi Lerner), Pam Grier (Kit Porter), and Ilene Chaiken, gathered in the room upstairs for a brief Q&A reception.

The questions, of course, were mostly about the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” storyline in Season four of The L word that involved the National Guard Captain, Tasha Williams. At this little ‘press conference’ there was also Bleu Copas, an Arabic specialist, who went to the army in the aftermath of 9-11 but was discharged because of some vicious emails, hinting at his sexuality. He also answered a few questions about his own “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” story and how he felt while going through all that happened to him.

Here’s the summary of the Q&A. It’s not the exact transcript of the questions and answers but I was trying to record the main ideas that were said while also taking pictures at the same time.

The first question was about the military storyline on the show and how they came up with that idea. Ilene said that the idea for “Don’t Ask, Don’t tell’ story came from the writer and producer, Elizabeth Ziff, who she called a “rebel writer.” When they were juggling with that idea, they met a lot of women who were in the military or had been in the military and who talked about their experiences and it seemed like a great opportunity to tell their stories.

Cybill Shepherd mentioned the ending of the season when she asked Ilene why her character wasn’t included in the “Farewell Beach Party for Tasha” scene and then she remembered that she was off with her new lover, Joyce. After she said that, Cybill covered her mouth, thinking that she revealed a major spoiler (remember, this event was happening on the Saturday, right before the season finale). I let her know that the Showtime already released a clip with the two of them so her love affair with Joyce wasn’t a spoiler anymore. Cybill was relieved, I think, but replied that she won’t tell anything else abut the finale. (Thank goodness the tractor wasn’t mentioned or I wouldn’t be able to control myself).

Then Ilene also said that they in spite of making The L Word into soap opera, they were trying to show through some of the events and conversations that they showed, what is happening in the military. Cybill added, that it’s unbelievable what’s happening when gay people in the military also put their lives on the line for our country, and it’s an important message to show how important is your identity and that includes everyone.

Marlee Matlin added that the show has this opportunity to talk about love and acceptance, regardless of who we are.

I asked Rose Rollins about her preparation for the role of Tasha and what research she had to do in order to portray it right. Rose replied that she talked to several women in the military and their stories were all so different, so she had taken their stories and sort of combined them into one. Rose also said that she was amazed at how strong those women were and she had so much respect for them, for what they were going through.

And this is when I asked Ilene that since season five was announced will Tasha be coming back because this is such a great story and they have to continue with it. Ilene replied that they have a few ideas that were discussing, though they don’t know what her storyline will be yet, but yes, Rose is coming back because they think that Tasha is a great and very different character for The L Word. It’s great for them to be able to represent a gay woman with very different realities to The L Word ensemble that they already have and Tasha is much too interesting character to let her go and they are excited that she will be back.

Then someone asked how they come up with the stories for the characters to keep it interesting. Ilene said that a bunch of L Word writers get together and ask themselves, “What could we do that we haven’t done yet? How can we make it interesting and controversial that shapes up our show?” And this is when they decided to do a military character and portray a story about those experiences. She also added that they get different reactions to this story line. Some people wrote and said that they felt that they were finally represented right and there were some fans that overreacted and it was difficult for them to accept it.

Pam Grier talked a little about being a “military brat” in the 50’s and 60’s and it was special but also difficult because at that time the country was going through a civil rights movement and there were a lot of racial issues. Her point was that there always will be some issues but she believes that one day we will find the equality and fairness we are looking for.

Cybill also added that throughout the years she continued to be involved in different civil and human rights causes and she mentioned that in 2000, she marched in a gay and lesbian parade and she wanted to carry the banner but she was told that she couldn’t carry the banner because she was not a lesbian. (Someone remarked that she should’ve say that yes, she’s not a lesbian but she plays one on TV). Cybill then continued and said that she told the parade organizers that “it is an equal investment for anyone, regardless of what their orientation is or whatever you want to call it. Would Martin Luther King not have let me march with him because my skin was white? I don't see any difference in the issue.” Not surprisingly, after such statement she was able to carry the banner.

The questions were becoming too serious that the class clown in me woke up and asked Rose if the ride on the helicopter was scary and if they really flew in it or was it just for show. Rose replied that the flight was really scary and yes, they had an opportunity to take it up one time and it was definitely wonderful. And the doors were closed so nobody would fall out.

The comic relief was over and another reporter asked if Ilene was planning to incorporate some battlefield scenes in the future. Ilene replied that they did one battlefield scene in the flashback and it was quite challenging. Rose added at that moment that it was also physically challenging for her because she received some basic training for the role. Ilene also said that they talked about it and their stories will definitely reflect the interactions and relationships among the members of Tasha’s military unit.

Then Marlee Matlin turned to Bleu Copas who was sitting with them and asked him to tell his story. In short, he was an Arabic linguist in the Army for 3 years and suddenly someone started the anonymous vicious email campaign to kick him out based on his alleged sexuality and this unknown person continued doing it until it got to the point when it was dangerous for him and his career and he was discharged. Bleu turned to SLDN for help and that’s why he was honored that evening for his bravery and courage to come out and speak for himself and for others that found themselves in the similar situation.

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