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    GLAAD Study Finds A Record High In LGBTQ Characters On TV

    By SHOOTUpdated:No Comments2735 Views
    This image released by FX shows Mj Rodriguez as Blanca in a scene from "Pose." A study says there are a record number of LGBTQ characters on network TV series airing this season. The program features the largest cast of transgender actors in series. (JoJo Whilden/FX via AP)

    By Lynn Elber, Television Writer

    LOS ANGELES (AP) --

    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.

    "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."

    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.

    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 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.

    Category:News
    Tags:diversitygender equalityGLAADLGBTQ



    Is “Glicked” The New “Barbenheimer”? “Wicked” and “Gladiator II” Hit Theater Screens

    Thursday, November 21, 2024

    "Barbenheimer" was a phenomenon impossible to manufacture. But, more than a year later, that hasn't stopped people from trying to make "Glicked" — or even "Babyratu" — happen.

    The counterprogramming of "Barbie" and "Oppenheimer" in July 2023 hit a nerve culturally and had the receipts to back it up. Unlike so many things that begin as memes, it transcended its online beginnings. Instead of an either-or, the two movies ultimately complemented and boosted one another at the box office.

    And ever since, moviegoers, marketers and meme makers have been trying to recreate that moment, searching the movie release schedule for odd mashups and sending candidates off into the social media void. Most attempts have fizzled (sorry, "Saw Patrol" ).

    This weekend is perhaps the closest approximation yet as the Broadway musical adaptation "Wicked" opens Friday against the chest-thumping sword-and-sandals epic "Gladiator II." Two big studio releases (Universal and Paramount), with one-name titles, opposite tones and aesthetics and big blockbuster energy — it was already halfway there before the name game began: "Wickiator," "Wadiator," "Gladwick" and even the eyebrow raising "Gladicked" have all been suggested.

    "'Glicked' rolls off the tongue a little bit more," actor Fred Hechinger said at the New York screening of "Gladiator II" this week. "I think we should all band around 'Glicked.' It gets too confusing if you have four or five different names for it."

    As with "Barbenheimer," as reductive as it might seem, "Glicked" also has the male/female divide that make the fan art extra silly. One is pink and bright and awash in sparkles, tulle, Broadway bangers and brand tie-ins; The other is all sweat and sand, blood and bulging... Read More

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