TV making some progress on LGBTQ representation
But the high number of queer female characters killed off sends a ‘toxic message,’ GLAAD says
GLAAD cites record-high LGBTQ representation in its annual report on television diversity, but the advocacy group says that television “failed queer women” this year, killing off a staggering number of lesbian and bisexual female characters. The annual “Where We Are on TV” report has analyzed the presence of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer characters on prime-time broadcast and cable television for over two decades. This year’s report cites the highest-ever percentage of LGBTQ characters on broadcast television.
Out of the five major broadcast networks, ABC has the highest percentage (7.3 per cent) of LGBTQ characters who are series regulars. Fox follows at 6.4 per cent, larger than the overall broadcast percentage of 4.8 per cent.
Last year, GLAAD noted the deaths of several queer female characters and called on broadcast networks to ensure that lesbian and bisexual women on TV fared better the following year. But this year’s report cites at least 12 lesbian and bisexual female characters who have been killed off broadcast shows since January and says more than 25 queer female characters have been killed across all platforms this year.
In an intro to the report, GLAAD president and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis wrote that “the decision to kill these characters in droves sends a toxic message about the worth of queer female stories,” adding that LGBTQ characters should have “the same opportunities for romance, nuanced motivation, developed backstory and the same odds of death” as their straight, cisgender counterparts.
GLAAD says the number of transgender characters has more than doubled since last year. Out of 16 transgender characters, three are on broadcast networks, none of which had shows with transgender characters last year. That means transgender characters will appear across all platforms. The report cites Amazon’s Transparent as the most LGBTQ-inclusive series.