LGBTQ+ representation on broadcast TV hits record high according to new report

Since yesterday’s news that the percentage of adults in the USA who identify as LGBTQ+ doubling in a decade comes the welcome follow up report that the number of LGBTQ+ characters on broadcast TV has also skyrocketed. 

The new survey by GLAAD called Where We Are On TV which is now in its17th year has found that during the 2021 – 2022 season (1 June 2021 to 31 May 2022), 92 of the 775 series regular characters identified as LGBTQ+ which is a 2.8 per cent increase from the year before thereby setting a new record.

The study examines the general diversity and representation of primetime scripted series regulars revealed that streaming services had greater representation of LGBTQ+ characters than broadcast (or terrestrial)  TV. GLAAD tracked data from Hulu, Netflix, and Amazon and now also includes other streamers such as Disney Plus, Paramount+, Apple TV+, HBO Max, and Peacock. 

The president and CEP of GLAAD, Sarah Kate Ellis, said: “The growing state of LGBTQ representation on television is a signal that Hollywood is truly starting to recognise the power of telling LGBTQ stories that audiences around the world connect with. At a time when anti-LGBTQ legislation and violence continues to increase, it is cultural institutions like television that take on the crucial role of changing hearts and minds through diverse and inclusive storytelling.”