Thanks to Ilene Chaiken, The L Word not only gave a good representation of the LGBT community on TV, it also left a lasting mark in the mainstream zeitgeist.

Who is Marja Lewis Ryan, and why is the lesbian community excited over her participation in the sequel to the fan favorite TV drama The L Word?

The GLSEN Respect Awards is set to honor George Stephanopoulos, Ali Wentworth, Ilene Chaiken, and Optimedia on May 23 in New York.