Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Study Finds LGBTQ Characters on Network TV Hit a Record High
gvw_ap_news
By Associated Press
Published 6 years ago on
October 25, 2018

Share

LOS ANGELES — A record-high percentage of LGBTQ characters are part of the new TV season’s prime-time network series, according to the media advocacy group GLAAD.
The annual study by media advocacy group GLAAD out Thursday also found an increase in the characters’ ethnic diversity, with slightly more LGBTQ people of color than white for the first time.
While the percentage of regularly seen LGBTQ characters on scripted broadcast series rose from last year’s 6.4 percent to hit an all-time high of 8.8 percent, or 75 characters out of a total 857, GLAAD said the TV industry is still falling short.
The organization called on networks to reach 10 percent inclusion for LGBTQ characters in prime-time in the next two years to ensure that “entertainment reflects the world in which it is created,” GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis said in a statement. The culture has changed for LGBTQ people but America is the midst of extraordinary tumult, she said.

Now More Important Than Ever Before

“That means what happens on our television screens is now more important than ever before,” Ellis said. Stories that explore the lives and identities of characters once invisible on screen remain “critical to accelerating acceptance for LGBTQ people.”

“That means what happens on our television screens is now more important than ever before.” — Sarah Kate Ellis, GLAAD President and CEO
The study singled out two series as history-making: the FX drama “Pose,” which featured the largest number of transgender series regulars ever on a U.S. series, and CW’s “Supergirl,” with TV’s first transgender superhero, Nia Nal, played by Nicole Maines, appearing this season.
Meanwhile, Nielsen announced it will begin reporting on what same-gender couples and their households are watching. The company, which already analyzes audiences by ethnicity, income and other demographics, said the new ratings data will help programmers and marketers “better understand the compelling opportunity these consumers represent.”
GLAAD’s Ellis lauded the move, calling it important to count LGBTQ viewers and to see how the American audience is connecting with LGBTQ characters and shows.

Overall Ethnic and Gender Inclusiveness

GLAAD has tracked lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer characters on TV for 23 years and began releasing its expanded survey, titled “Where We Are on TV,” in 2005. The study analyzed the programming for the 2018-19 season on broadcasting, cable and the Amazon, Hulu and Netflix streaming platforms.

Researchers also found a record percentage of black characters on network series at 22 percent compared to 18 percent last year.
Researchers also looked at overall ethnic and gender inclusiveness and found a record percentage of black characters on network series at 22 percent compared to 18 percent last year. Latinos remained at last year’s record 8 percent, while Asian-American and Pacific Islanders rose a point to 8 percent. Women, estimated to make up 51 percent of the U.S. population, held steady at 43 percent of network characters.
The new season has a record number of regularly seen characters who have disabilities, rising to 2.1 percent from 1.8 percent last season.

Other Findings in the Report

— There is gender parity among LGBTQ characters on broadcast TV at 49.6 percent each for men and women, compared to last year’s division of 55 male, 44 percent female.
— Across all platforms, including broadcasting, cable and streaming, the number of bisexual people rose from 93 last season to 117 in the current one. Transgender characters are up from 17 to 26, and HIV-positive characters went from two to seven.
— On cable channels, the number of regularly seen and recurring LGBTQ characters increased to 208 from last year’s 173.
— Amazon, Hulu and Netflix original series had a combined 112 LGBTQ characters, a noteworthy increase from 65 characters last season.

DON'T MISS

CHP Car Struck by Drunk Driver While Investigating Another Crash

DON'T MISS

Fresno Man Ejected From Car Dies Off McKinley Avenue

DON'T MISS

‘Leave It the Way It Is’: Off-Roaders, Hikers React to Proposal to Change 1.4M Acres of Sierra Forest

DON'T MISS

Yankees Retain Cole, Add $36 Million Extension to Keep Ace

DON'T MISS

5 Reasons Early Voting Is Overwhelmed With Falsehoods

DON'T MISS

Christian McCaffrey Returns to Practice for the 49ers From Achilles Tendon Injury

DON'T MISS

California Sues LA Suburb for Temporary Ban of Homeless Shelters

DON'T MISS

You May Have Blocked Someone on X but Now They Can See Your Public Posts Anyway

DON'T MISS

Some Republican-Led States Refuse to Let Justice Department Monitors Into Polling Places

DON'T MISS

Fresno Police Arrest Suspect in Fatal NW Apartment Shooting

UP NEXT

At 91, Willie Nelson Has a New Album Out and a Cannabis Cookbook Coming

UP NEXT

Rapper Young Thug Is a Free Man. Here Are Things to Know About His Plea.

UP NEXT

MrBeast Probe Ends With Some Employees Fired but Finds No Proof of Sexual Misconduct Allegations

UP NEXT

Beyoncé, Shaboozey and Post Malone Topped Country in 2024. How Will Grammys Respond?

UP NEXT

Weekend Lineup: Football Showdown, Rock Tributes, and Halloween Festivities

UP NEXT

Reynolds and McElhenney Expand Wrexham Empire, Acquire Historic Brewery

UP NEXT

Teri Garr, the Offbeat Comic Actor of ‘Young Frankenstein’ and ‘Tootsie,’ Has Died

UP NEXT

Hallmark Faces Age Discrimination Lawsuit Over Alleged Casting Bias

UP NEXT

Who is Tony Hinchcliffe, Who Insulted Puerto Rico at Trump’s MSG Rally?

UP NEXT

6 Takeaways From Donald Trump’s 3-Hour Podcast With Joe Rogan

Yankees Retain Cole, Add $36 Million Extension to Keep Ace

4 hours ago

5 Reasons Early Voting Is Overwhelmed With Falsehoods

5 hours ago

Christian McCaffrey Returns to Practice for the 49ers From Achilles Tendon Injury

5 hours ago

California Sues LA Suburb for Temporary Ban of Homeless Shelters

5 hours ago

You May Have Blocked Someone on X but Now They Can See Your Public Posts Anyway

5 hours ago

Some Republican-Led States Refuse to Let Justice Department Monitors Into Polling Places

5 hours ago

Fresno Police Arrest Suspect in Fatal NW Apartment Shooting

6 hours ago

Fresno Murder Suspect Stopped in Las Vegas, Others Wanted

6 hours ago

Trump’s Crowds Are Dwindling as His Campaign Winds Down

7 hours ago

Trump Threatens 25% Tariff on Mexico to Curb Immigration

7 hours ago

CHP Car Struck by Drunk Driver While Investigating Another Crash

A driver suspected of being under the influence crashed into a California Highway Patrol car early Sunday, officials said. Officers were inv...

2 hours ago

A driver suspected of DUI crashed into a parked California Highway Patrol car at a fatal crash scene in Fresno County, sustaining minor injuries and later being cited. (Fresno County SO)
2 hours ago

CHP Car Struck by Drunk Driver While Investigating Another Crash

fresno
2 hours ago

Fresno Man Ejected From Car Dies Off McKinley Avenue

3 hours ago

‘Leave It the Way It Is’: Off-Roaders, Hikers React to Proposal to Change 1.4M Acres of Sierra Forest

New York Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole throws against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning in Game 5 of the baseball World Series, Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024, in New York. (AP/Ashley Landis)
4 hours ago

Yankees Retain Cole, Add $36 Million Extension to Keep Ace

Voters cast their ballots at Desert Breeze Community Center in Las Vegas during the last day of in-person early voting in Nevada on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024. Nearly 75 million people have cast early ballots, making their voices heard amid worry about the process, the outcome and democracy itself. (Bridget Bennett/The New York Times)
5 hours ago

5 Reasons Early Voting Is Overwhelmed With Falsehoods

5 hours ago

Christian McCaffrey Returns to Practice for the 49ers From Achilles Tendon Injury

5 hours ago

California Sues LA Suburb for Temporary Ban of Homeless Shelters

5 hours ago

You May Have Blocked Someone on X but Now They Can See Your Public Posts Anyway

Search

Send this to a friend