Dear John --

I am a TV writer, showrunner, and co-creator of the Netflix-original comedy-drama, ONE DAY AT A TIME. I am also a mother, friend, sister, daughter, wife, and proud Latina. I lead one of only a few diverse writers rooms in Hollywood -- something that shouldn't be brag worthy, but in my industry, currently is.

We are women, Latinx, and LGBTQIA+.

Like our friends at It Gets Better, our team believes that we are better, stronger, kinder, and wiser together. That there is more that unites us than that tears us apart. But for this to be reflected in society it has to be modeled in the stories we watch in film and TV as well.

That's what drives me to write this show and to develop storylines like Elena Alvarez's (Isabella Gomez) who came out at the end of the first season. It was important to us to tell her story in an authentic way and to not just address her sexual identity in one episode, but to make sure her journey as a young Latina lesbian is part of the fabric of our show. We also introduce Elena's Significant Other, a non-binary character named Syd (Sheridan Pierce), a Trans-Veteran in our main character's therapy group, Cynthia (Nicky Endres), a Lesbian veteran Ramona (Judy Reyes) and a Lesbian cousin of the family, Pilar (Stephanie Beatriz). These positive portrayals are vital and important for us to put out there. And the response we've gotten to all of them on social media has been overwhelmingly positive. Representation matters!

If you haven't watched yet, tune in to Season Three now, and tell us what you think!

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Your story inspires our writing and the development of characters and stories like Elena's. Along with the incredible producers and cast, Justina Machado, Rita Moreno, Isabella Gomez, and others, we are working to change the media landscape, but we can't do it without you.

I hope you'll watch ONE DAY AT A TIME, share it with friends and family, and let us know what you think. Most importantly, keep sharing your story with the world and keep being you.

Xo, Gloria Calderón Kellett
Showrunner and Co-Creator, One Day at a Time