Group Finds More Gay and Lesbian Characters on Television

By BRIAN STELTER

There are more gay and lesbian characters on network television this season than ever before, according to a study released Friday by the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, or GLAAD, a group that advocates for diversity in the media.

The study assessed the 97 scripted shows that are scheduled to premiere on the networks sometime during the season that started last month. It counted 31 regularly-appearing characters that identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender, up from 19 last season and 23 two seasons ago.

ABC had more such characters (10) than any other network. CBS, which was criticized by GLAAD in the past, was praised this time for having four such characters.

Looking at all 701 regularly-appearing characters on the networks this season, GLAAD found that 55 percent are male and 78 percent are white. About 12 percent are African American, 4.7 percent are Asian and 4.1 percent are Latino. Only four of the characters, or 0.6 percent, have disabilities.

GLAAD also found an uptick in gay characters on major cable networks.

Herndon Graddick, the president of GLAAD, said in a statement: “This year's increase of LGBT characters on television reflects a cultural change in the way gay and lesbian people are seen in our society. More and more Americans have come to accept their LGBT family members, friends, coworkers, and peers, and as audiences tune into their favorite programs, they expect to see the same diversity of people they encounter in their daily lives.”