September 28, 2011

GLAAD report: "Where We Are On TV"

By Nancy Tartaglione-Moore

GLAAD, the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, has released its most recent "Where We Are On TV" report which takes a look at the landscape of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LBGT) characters on scripted shows.

The most recent study finds that at the launch of the 2011-2012 television season, LGBT characters represent 2.9% of all scripted series regular characters on the five broadcast networks which is a decrease from last year. The number of LGBT characters on cable has remained relatively steady overall.

Per a GLAAD press release, Fox is now the most inclusive broadcast network with 6.8% of regular characters being gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender. In 2007, the report found zero LGBT series regulars on the network.

With regard to the other networks, GLAAD said ABC is not in the lead for the first time in six years, and has significantly dropped in its percentage of regular LGBT characters;

NBC is in decline for the third year in a row while the CW will feature only one LGBT series regular characters out of 67;

CBS is in last place for the fourth year in a row.

For the second year in a row, HBO leads cable with 11 LGBT characters while Showtime, ABC Family, FX, TeenNick, TNT and BBC America are also making a contribution.

"While the number of LGBT characters is down, some of the most popular shows with critics and viewers such as 'Glee,' 'True Blood' and 'The Good Wife' weave storylines about gay and lesbian characters into the fabric of the show," said GLAAD Acting President Mike Thompson.

"Whether it's the growing household of Mitchell and Cameron on 'Modern Family' or the recent wedding of Callie and Arizona on 'Grey's Anatomy,' Americans expect to see the diversity of our country represented in their favorite programs and that includes gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people."