Pose co-creator Steven Canals Developing LGBTQ+ Limited Series ‘81 Words’ For FX

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Pose co-creator and Emmy nominee Steven Canals is developing a new limited series titled 81 Words, which will explore the historic effort by a group of medical professionals to change the definition of homosexuality from being classified as a mental illness.

The official logline reads: “Until 1974, the medical establishment considered gay people sexually deviant and diagnosed them as mentally ill. 81 Words tells the true story of gay activists Frank Kameny and Barbara Gittings, who risked their career and reputation to conspire with the GAYPA — a clandestine group of closeted psychiatrists — and challenge the American Psychiatric Association’s definition of homosexuality.”

Canals will pen the script for the drama that is based on Alix Spiegel’s award-winning This American Life episode “81 Words.” The installment is also serving as the inspiration for the upcoming PBS Independent Lens documentary Cured, directed by Bennett Singer and Patrick Sammon.

Canals will also executive produce the series through his Story Ave productions banner alongside Elisabeth Seldes and Neri Tannenbaum of Pal Pictures. Spiegel, Singer, and Sammon will serve as producers on the series, which is currently in development via 20th Century Fox TV.