GLAAD: Broadcast TV sets another record for LGBTQ characters, but cable stalls

Bill Keveney | USA TODAY

More LGBTQ characters than ever are populating TV shows, especially on the broadcast networks and streaming services. But cable hasn't improved by that measure in the past year, according to GLAAD's 2019-20 "Where We Are on TV" report.

The broadcast networks – ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox and CW – have reached another new high in LGBTQ representation in the 2019-20 TV season, according to the annual GLAAD update released Thursday.

The report found LGBTQ characters are expected to represent 10.2% of series regulars on prime-time scripted series on the major networks, a record high that bests last season's record of 8.8%. It surpasses the 10% goal set by GLAAD, the world’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) media advocacy organization, a year early.

"I am beyond thrilled, with a lot of optimism. That we exceeded the targets we set out is pretty phenomenal," GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis tells USA TODAY. "It's a real testament to Hollywood stepping up (in representing) marginalized communities when we have an administration that is trying to be divisive."

The report's calculations are based on confirmed casting for current and upcoming series scheduled to air between June 1, 2019, and May 31, 2020. (Shows that have not premiered are always subject to recasting, delays or cancellation.)

Amazon, Hulu and Netflix, the leading streaming services, showed a 45% increase in LGBTQ series regulars (from 75 to 109), nearly matching the percentage rise from a year earlier. The report does not provide an overall number of series regulars as it does for broadcast shows.

Cable was flat, moving from 120 to 121 regular characters this season, compared to a 17% increase in the 2018 report, although the cancellation of a few shows with large numbers of LGBTQ characters, such as Freeform's "Shadowhunters," can have a major impact on results. Three cable networks accounted for 44% of cable's LGBTQ representation: Showtime (38 regular and recurring LGBTQ characters), FX (31); and Freeform (26).

For broadcast TV, the GLAAD report counts 90 LGBTQ series regulars out of 879 characters (with 30 more recurring characters) on the broadcast networks.

CW recorded the highest percentage of LGBTQ series regulars (15.4%), followed by NBC (12.5%), ABC (10.4%), Fox (7.9%) and CBS (5.5%).

More: New GLAAD study finds record number of LGBTQ characters on broadcast TV

For the first time since GLAAD began its research into representation on the small screen 24 years ago, LGBTQ women outnumber men (53% to 47%) in broadcast TV.

As part of the report, GLAAD is raising the bar for broadcast series, asking that LGBTQ characters make up 20% of series regulars by 2025. That percentage reflects a 2017 survey by GLAAD and the Harris Poll that found 20% of 18-to-34-year-olds identify as LGBTQ.

Ellis says entertainment depictions are essential to acceptance of the LGBTQ community.

"The way you change a heart and mind around someone who's LGBTQ is either you know someone or see them on TV. When you learn their story, it humanizes them," she says.

Ellis hopes to see more producers echo four leaders in committing to greater inclusion: Greg Berlanti (CW's superhero shows), Ryan Murphy (FX's "Pose" and "American Horror Story"), Shonda Rhimes (ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" and "How to Get Away with Murder") and Lena Waithe (Showtime's "The Chi").

"We need more people invested in telling diverse and inclusive stories," Ellis says.

Additional findings:

• An increased racial diversity of LGBTQ characters on broadcast and cable, but a decline in streaming. Of broadcast's 120 regular and recurring characters, 62 are people of color, marking the second year they constitute a majority (52%). It's the only TV platform to meet GLAAD's goal of having people of color make up half of TV's LGBTQ character population. Cable hit 48% in that measurement, with streaming at 41%.

• The number of transgender characters increased to 38 from 26. "We had a record year of trans representation, (but) in all fairness, it wasn't hard. It was so bad before," Ellis says.

• Shows featured nine characters who are HIV-positive, up two from last year's total. However, some of those characters are in miniseries or programs in their final season.