LGBTQ Visibility On Broadcast TV Rises

GLAAD has announced 11.9% of series regular characters scheduled to appear on broadcast scripted primetime television this season are LGBTQ an increase of 2.8% from last year & a new record-high percentage in the history of their Where We Are on TV report. This marks the 26th year that GLAAD has tracked the presence of LGBTQ characters on television & the 17th edition of the Where We Are on TV report. Sarah Kate Ellis GLAAD President & CEO stated, “The growing state of LGBTQ representation on television is a signal that Hollywood is truly starting to recognize the power of telling LGBTQ stories that audiences around the world connect with. At a time when anti-LGBTQ legislation & violence continues to increase, it is cultural institutions like television that take on the crucial role of changing hearts & minds through diverse & inclusive storytelling. Networks & platforms must continue to prioritize telling LGBTQ stories that have been long overlooked, with a specific focus on the trans community, LGBTQ people of color, people living with HIV & LGBTQ people with disabilities.” Megan Townsend, GLAAD’s Director of Entertainment Research & Analysis concluded, “However, we continue to see that LGBTQ inclusion is often found in clusters from a concentrated number of creatives & networks who have prioritized telling our stories. Just three cable networks account for close to half of all LGBTQ inclusion on cable & 8.5 percent of LGBTQ characters across all platforms tracked appear on shows tied to just four producers.” This year there are 42 regular & recurring transgender characters tracked across all three platforms on broadcast, cable & streaming which is up from 29 last year. So perhaps we're seeing a positive upswing for our LGBTQ community. For More Info…