So Gay for You bookcover

So Gay for You

Friendship, Found Family, and the Show That Started It All

This title will be released on

calendar iconJune 3, 2025

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Description

An intimate, hilarious memoir of art, friendship, queerness, and found family by Kate Moennig and Leisha Hailey, stars of The L Word—including never-before-shared stories and photos from behind the scenes of the show and their personal lives.

"Are you comfortable with nudity?" my manager asked.

In the early 2000s, Kate Moennig and Leisha Hailey—both young artists trying to figure it all out—met at auditions for an unknown little TV show. Given that it was a show about lesbians living in Los Angeles, with the first ever ensemble cast of openly queer female characters, Kate and Leisha knew the project was going to be unlike anything else out there—that is, if it even got picked up.

Then, one million people watched the premiere. The show, which came to be called The L Word, turned into a trailblazing phenomenon. Its influence on pop culture, in the political arena, and in the lives of viewers has been lasting, impactful, even life-saving. And in addition to changing the course of television history, The L Word changed Kate and Leisha's lives forever.

From their first day on set, Kate and Leisha have always had each other’s backs, inseparable to the degree that the cast joked they were like a pair of pants—you couldn't have one leg without the other. Hence the name for their branded partnership, PANTS, launched in 2020, and accompanying podcast, which has been downloaded over twenty million times.

This friendship has seen Kate and Leisha through their greatest triumphs and most painful moments, stumbling from closeted queer kids in a hostile culture, to LGBTQ+ activists, actors, podcasters, and business owners. Full of never-before-shared glimpses into the making of The L Word, Kate and Leisha's real-life loves and losses, and their experience as queer icons, So Gay for You is a heartfelt, inspiring love letter to a ride or die friendship over the decades, and a testament to the liberating power of chosen family.

Product Details

PublisherSt. Martin's Press
Publish DateJune 03, 2025
Pages272
LanguageEnglish
TypeBook iconHardback
EAN/UPC9781250361363
Dimensions234.9 X 6.1 X 25.4 inches | 1.0 pounds

About the Author

KATE MOENNIG is a critically acclaimed actor and executive producer whose work spans film, television, and theater. She is most known for her iconic role as Shane McCutcheon in the Showtime series The L Word and the reboot, The L Word: Generation Q. Moennig has also starred in Showtime’s hit series Ray Donovan and in Freeform’s breakout series Grown-ish. Moennig’s film credits include the neo-noir legal thriller The Lincoln Lawyer, Lane 1974, and Terry Zwigoff's Art School Confidential. Most recently she can be seen in Liz Feldman's series No Good Deed on Netflix. She currently cohosts the podcast PANTS with Kate and Leisha.
LEISHA HAILEY is an actor, director, executive producer, musician, and podcaster. Hailey is best known for her beloved breakout character Alice Pieszecki in the revolutionary Showtime series The L Word and the reboot, The L Word: Generation Q. Before making her mark on-screen, Hailey co-founded the band The Murmurs in the 1990’s, recording three albums for MCA/Universal Records and touring worldwide, including with Lilith Fair. More than a decade later, in 2007, Hailey cofounded the indie pop band, Uh Huh Her, which toured internationally and sold albums worldwide. Hailey currently cohosts the podcast PANTS with Kate and Leisha.

Reviews

"So Gay for You is more than a memoir; it's a comprehensive almanac of Kate Moennig and Leisha Hailey. Take it from a die-hard fan, and friend, this intimate exploration of their lives blends candid anecdotes with reflections on their youth, queer identity, the impact of The L Word, and perhaps most importantly, their two decades of friendship. Must-read queer lit and a testament to the enduring legacy of The L Word and the culture-changing stars at its heart." —Tegan Quin, bestselling author of High School

"So Gay for You is a beautiful story of two besties who also played besties on the ground breaking series The L Word. Read this book, you will love it as I did." —Rosie O'Donnell

"As magnetic and authentic as Kate and Leisha themselves, So Gay for You feels like catching up with an old friend. Hilarious, candid, and full of heart, this memoir perfectly captures the ups and downs of the 2000s and beyond, and the life-changing power of true, lasting found family." —Gwyneth Paltrow

"This book solidifies Kate Moennig and Leisha Hailey's significant influence on television and queer culture. Not only are they trailblazers who opened doors for lesbians globally, their portrayals made being a lesbian sexy and aspirational. The creation of this book in itself is a groundbreaking achievement and nothing short of a masterpiece." —Julia Fox, New York Times bestselling author of Down the Drain

"Perfectly captures the joy we all experienced making a television show that became more than a television show and exemplifies why Kate and Leisha are at once beloved and iconic. Their voices are distinct—at different moments funny, honest, heartbreaking, reassuring, and, most of all, essential. The world needed this book. I needed this book." —Ilene Chaiken, co-creator, writer, and producer of The L Word

"Kate and Leisha have written a beautiful memoir that is in turns humorous and poignant and sometimes both simultaneously. What a genuine pleasure it was to step onto memory lane and to see the view from their eyes. Just when I thought I knew everything about their legendary friendship, along comes this perceptive memoir that made me laugh out loud and cry in the same sitting, unveiling things I never knew, making their friendship that much more magical." —Jennifer Beals

"We are SO GAY for this book! So Gay For You is a heartfelt, funny, and inspiring look at the beauty of friendship and community and the importance of self acceptance. Leisha and Kate are each trailblazers in their own right and we thank the gay gods their blazed trails crossed." —Stephanie Allynne and Tig Notaro

"Such a fun read. It’s like hanging out with your two best friends who also happen to be hilarious, insightful, full on lesbian icons." —Liz Feldman

"Everything you've hoped this book would be, it is: every delicious The L Word detail, the 'how we met' friendship meet cute, and above all, the celebration of two deeply funny, deeply cool best friends." —Lane Moore, award-winning author of You Will Find Your People

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