09/24/2007
GLAAD Study: Gay Characters Fade on Networks, Rise on Cable
A new report from GLAAD reveals that LGBT representations on prime time scripted shows will decline for the second straight year.
GLAAD took a look at 650 characters in 87 scripted shows from ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX and The CW and determined that 1.1% of series regular characters (that's seven out of the 650) represent lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender people.
According to GLAAD, "The seven LGBT regular characters appear on five scripted programs: Brothers & Sisters, Desperate Housewives, Ugly Betty, The Office and the midseason series Cashmere Mafia. Six of these seven characters are on ABC, with no lead or supporting LGBT characters scheduled to appear on CBS, FOX or The CW."
Said GLAAD President Neil Giuliano: "While we acknowledge there have been improvements made in how we are seen on the broadcast networks, most notably on ABC, our declining representation clearly indicates a failure to inclusively reflect the audience watching television. Striving toward diversity isn’t merely the responsible road to take for broadcasters, but as many of television’s highest-rated programs demonstrate, it’s also good for business. One need only look at the growing viewership of cable networks to see how inclusive programming can attract a wider audience."
The media watchdog did find that 13 semi-regular recurring characters are scheduled to appear on shows during the upcoming season.
Cable, however, is a different story. Says GLAAD: "A total of 40 series regulars were counted across 21 scripted comedies and dramas scheduled to air on mainstream cable networks this season; 15 more than were counted last year. These numbers in part reflect a continued commitment to diversity effectively demonstrated by mainstream cable networks such as The N, FX, HBO, Showtime, and BBC America. Cable networks Logo and here! create additional original scripted programming for a predominantly LGBT audience."
This is the 12th year GLAAD has produced the study.
Sphere: Related ContentPosted 8:43 AM EST by Andy in GLAAD, News, Television | Permalink
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It's interesting to hear that the CW has NO scripted gay characters in their network lineup. They had a HUGE presence at the St. Petersburg PRIDE parade. They had a float, marchers and were throwing out trinkets.
I plan to give them a call this afternoon to express my displeasure with their pandering to our community while giving us nothing where it counts. I get enough of that from the Democratic party.
Posted by: Zeke | Sep 24, 2007 10:24:48 AM
@Zeke -- agree re: CW, particularly as their shows are so camp.
I have gone from disgust at ABC a couple years ago to LOVING it. Ugly Betty has a positive gay youth (and is jusst flat-out gay as a show) and Brothers & Sisters is wonderful - and may eb gaining another gay character this year. Between ABC being the gayest network on TV, and Disney Family outputting the sluts of today (Britney, Justin, Xtina) as well as the homos, hotties and sluts of tomorrow (Zac, Vanessa, Kyle XY, that little ho Miley Cyrus), what's NOT to love?
Posted by: Strepsi | Sep 24, 2007 10:35:48 AM
Thank you GLAAD - the modern thought police!
Posted by: Marc | Sep 24, 2007 11:00:12 AM
"our declining representation clearly indicates a failure" .... OF GLAAD!
Their mission statement reads, "GLAAD is dedicated to promoting and ensuring fair, accurate and inclusive representation of people and events in the media as a means of eliminating homophobia and discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation."
The only thing more indicative of their stupidity than their selling their soul to antigay-industry-financing Coors are these periodic "report cards" which they are too retarded to get say more about GLAAD's failure than the networks. BOYCOTT GLAAD.
Is this "real Zeke" or "fake Zeke"? In any case, if it weren't for the Dems the amendment to the US Constitution banning marriage equality would now be touring the states for ratification.
Ugly Betty's is charming, often touching, Bros & Sisters near perfect in the way it portrays gay males characters but two shows do not gay heaven make. ABC's also the home to homo Mark Somebody Anybody Please Take My Cherry who's proud to be a Repug and proud of having given America a sociopathic, mamacitaslaughtering gay/bi teenager and a child molestor who viewers will have assumed was gay. I'd mention Alec Mapa's character, the squealing kiddie beauty pageant coach if she qualified as male. Maybe he's transgender.
Posted by: Leland Frances | Sep 24, 2007 11:02:07 AM
LELAND...glad someone else shares my disdain for Marc Cherry!
I'm going to add that an ABC show which is one of the most popular shows on television, and one of my personal favorites, LOST, has what is perhaps the most diverse cast on television. There are several African-American characters, a lovable obese Hispanic guy, an Asian couple, a guy of Middle Eastern descent, a Latina and a guy who was in a wheelchair but has been apparently cured by the island. Heck, they've even got phantom tigers and other assorted aliens. But no gay people. Not a one.
Posted by: peterparker | Sep 24, 2007 12:46:04 PM
I don't recommend that people what a lot of television.
Posted by: anon (gmail.com) | Sep 24, 2007 12:50:17 PM
I adore Alec Mapa.
Posted by: Gregg | Sep 24, 2007 1:24:36 PM
If you do like the shows because of the lack of gay characters, DON'T WATCH THEM. It is that simple. Besides, the percentage of Gays, Lesbians, etc in the country is much less than GLAAD would like it to seem. To have say...1 gay character out of 7 is HUGELY over-representing the gay population in terms of percentage.
Posted by: Dolores | Sep 24, 2007 6:24:18 PM