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    GLAAD Finds LGBTQ Representation In Film Has Risen, But Not For All

    By SHOOTUpdated:No Comments2353 Views
    This image released by Twentieth Century Fox shows Rami Malek in a scene from "Bohemian Rhapsody." The advocacy organization GLAAD says that LGBTQ representation is up for major studio films released in 2018. 20th Century Fox received a “good” rating for contributions for releases like “Bohemian Rhapsody." (Alex Bailey/Twentieth Century Fox via AP, File)

    Study cites lack of transgender characters, a decline in racial diversity

    By Lindsey Bahr, Film Writer

    LOS ANGELES (AP) --

    The advocacy organization GLAAD says that LGBTQ representation is up for major studio films released in 2018, but that none included transgender characters.

    Of the 110 movies surveyed, 20, or 18.2%, contained an LGBTQ character. This is a significant improvement from 2017's all-time low of 12.8% and the second-highest in the seven years that GLAAD has been doing the report.

    Both 20th Century Fox and Universal received "good" ratings for their individual contributions for releases like "Bohemian Rhapsody," ''Love, Simon" and "Blockers," while the Walt Disney Co. and Lionsgate were given failing grades. Others received the marker of insufficient.

    The grades are determined based on percentage of releases. That meant Warner Bros., which had the second-highest number of films with LGBTQ characters (five) of all the studios, still got an insufficient rating because overall the studio released 23 films. The studio with the highest number of releases featuring LGBTQ characters was Universal, with six.

    In addition to the lack of transgender characters, the report says racial diversity of LGBTQ characters has also fallen off despite films like "Crazy Rich Asians," ''Deadpool 2" and "Annihilation." In 2018, 42% of LGBTQ characters were people of color, compared with 57% in 2017.  But, for the first time in the report's history, there were equal number of films that included gay and lesbian characters with 11 each, or 55% of the LGBTQ-inclusive films. Bisexual characters were seen in only 3 of the major studio releases, however.  None of the animated and family films released by major studios in 2018 featured an LGBTQ character, the report said.

    Representation is higher in films released by the arthouse arms of studios like Fox Searchlight with "The Favourite" and "Can You Ever Forgive Me?" and Roadside Attractions with "Juliet, Naked" and "Lizzie."

    Diversity in storytelling is good for business, says John Fithian, the president and CEO of the National Association of Theater Owners.

    "NATO and its members are committed to creating inclusive spaces that expand our audiences, increase ticket sales, and reaffirm the importance of representation on the screen," Fithian told GLAAD.

    A Nielsen report also found that queer audiences are more 22 percent more likely than straight audiences to see a new release more than one time.

    The report concludes that while progress has been made, there is more work to be done, in representation of transgender characters, bisexual characters, racially diverse LGBTQ characters and LGBTQ representation in animated and family films. Last year GLAAD called on studios to ensure that LGBTQ representation will reach 20% by 2021 and 50% by 2024.

    "While the film industry should include more stories of LGBTQ people of color and transgender people, studios are finally addressing the calls from LGBTQ people and allies around the world who want to see more diversity in films," GLAAD president and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis said in a statement.

    And 2019 may be off to a promising start with films like "Booksmart" and "Rocketman" on the horizon.

    Category:News
    Tags:20th Century FoxBohemian RhapsodyGLAADLGBTQUniversal



    Apple and Google Face UK Investigation Into Mobile Browser Dominance

    Saturday, November 23, 2024

    Apple and Google aren't giving consumers a genuine choice of mobile web browsers, a British watchdog said Friday in a report that recommends they face an investigation under new U.K. digital rules taking effect next year.

    The Competition and Markets Authority took aim at Apple, saying the iPhone maker's tactics hold back innovation by stopping rivals from giving users new features like faster webpage loading. Apple does this by restricting progressive web apps, which don't need to be downloaded from an app store and aren't subject to app store commissions, the report said.

    "This technology is not able to fully take off on iOS devices," the watchdog said in a provisional report on its investigation into mobile browsers that it opened after an initial study concluded that Apple and Google effectively have a chokehold on "mobile ecosystems."

    The CMA's report also found that Apple and Google manipulate the choices given to mobile phone users to make their own browsers "the clearest or easiest option."

    And it said that the a revenue-sharing deal between the two U.S. Big Tech companies "significantly reduces their financial incentives" to compete in mobile browsers on Apple's iOS operating system for iPhones.

    Both companies said they will "engage constructively" with the CMA.

    Apple said it disagreed with the findings and said it was concerned that the recommendations would undermine user privacy and security.

    Google said the openness of its Android mobile operating system "has helped to expand choice, reduce prices and democratize access to smartphones and apps" and that it's "committed to open platforms that empower consumers."

    It's the latest move by regulators on both sides of the Atlantic to crack down on the... Read More

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