More Gay Characters on TV This and Next Year
GLAAD (the organization formerly known as the Gay &
Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) has been tracking lesbian, gay, bisexual
and transgender (LGBT) characters on TV for 20 years now. For the past decade,
the results have been published in the annual report "Where We Are on
TV." This year's bottom line: More gay and transgender characters are on
TV this season with, as might be expected, cable and streaming services far
outpacing network broadcasters, who must appeal to the broadest audience.
GLAAD looked at the prime-time scripted series that air, or
are expected to air, between June 1, 2015, and May 31, 2016, for which casting
has been announced. GLAAD tallied all the characters on broadcast (network) TV
and found that of 881 main characters, 35 (4 percent) were identified as
lesbian, gay or bisexual. An additional 35 recurring characters -- those who
make multiple appearances in a series but are not part of the main cast -- fit
the LGB description.
Scripted cable series this season will feature 84 regular
LGBT characters (up from 64 last season) and 58 recurring ones (up from 41). Original
series premiering on the streaming services Amazon, Hulu and Netflix include 43
LGBT regulars and 16 recurring ones across 23 series.