Shane, played by Kate Moennig, is sometimes seen wearing a t-shirt bearing the word "gush". Leisha Hailey, who played Alice Pieszecki, was in a band called Gush.
Because of the unexpectedly huge number of viewers, the show was renewed for a second season one day after the pilot aired, and it was renewed for a third season before the second season even began airing.
Ilene Chaiken tried to get openly gay women to guest direct in every season. She managed to achieve, for example, Lisa Cholodenko (season 2), Kimberly Peirce (season 3) and Marleen Gorris (season 4).
The exploration of Bette's mixed race parenting was suggested by Jennifer Beals, whose own heritage is really important to her.