Great strides are being made to showcase sexual orientation equality on television. For the first time since 2007, the number of gay and lesbian characters on both broadcast and cable shows has grown, and this fall season is one of the most gay-friendly seasons yet.
According to a report from the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) 23 LGBT characters will account for 3.9 percent of scripted series regulars in the 2010-2011 broadcast television schedule, compared to 1.1 percent in 2007, 2.6 percent in 2008 and 3 percent in 2009.
“The increase in lesbian, gay, and bisexual characters on primetime television not only reflects the shift in American culture towards greater awareness and understanding of our community, but also a new industry standard that a growing number of creators and networks are adopting,” said GLAAD President Jarrett Barrios. “The recent critical and commercial success of shows like Modern Family and Glee clearly indicate that mainstream audiences embrace gay characters and want to see well-crafted stories about our lives.”
According to the report, HBO’s True Blood is the most inclusive program currently on television, featuring six regular and recurring LGBT characters.
Buuuut, they may have some competition soon. Here’s a few spoilers about gay and lesbian characters coming soon to a small screen near you:
After a national casting call, Fox’s Glee will soon introduce Sam, quarterback boyfriend for gay teen Kurt, and 90210‘s Teddy Montgomery will soon come out.
How does your favorite network fare in diversity?
- ABC continues to lead the other broadcast networks in LGBT representation, with 11 LGBT characters out of 152 total series regular characters (7.2%), the highest number and percentage of LGBT characters of any network for the 2010-2011 season.
- FOX, which in 2007 featured zero series regular LGBT characters at the launch of the season, now offers five LGBT series regulars out of 100 (5%).
- The CW continues to improve with three LGBT series regular characters out of 67 (4.5%).
- NBC becomes the only network that saw a decline from last year. The network will feature three series regular LGBT characters (2.1%) out of a total of 143.
- CBS remains in last place. Out of 125 series regular characters, only one will be LGBT (0.8%), but the network will include several LGBT recurring characters.
- HBO features the greatest number of LGBT characters on cable with 10, six of which are series regulars.
- ABC Family has an edge in the number of series regular LGBT characters with seven.
- Also making a significant contribution to the count are Showtime (with seven characters), Syfy (with four), TNT, FX, Starz, and Teen Nick (with three each).
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