GLAAD “Where We Are on TV” The report found that while LGBTQ+ characters were embraced across scripted, cable and streaming programs last season, the future paints a much less rosy picture.
According to the report, which tracks regular and recurring LGBTQ+ characters appearing during Television season 2024–25The number of queer characters increased 4% across platforms, bringing the total to 489. However, Thursday's report found that 41% of those characters will not return due to series cancellation or ending, limited series format, or character death or exit.
While this year's study marks an increase after two years of decline, it remains well below the 2021-2022 record of 637 LGBTQ+ characters on screen.
“There is some concern that it won't bounce back next year and see growth just in terms of what's been announced so far,” GLAAD's Megan Townsend told TheWrap. “During the study period, we did not have many announcements or news about new and returning series that could offset some of these losses.”
Transgender characters may be in particular danger as their right to exist has been questioned under the second Trump administration. GLAAD counted 33 transgender characters on television this year, but only four appear in officially renewed series. However, the number of trans characters increased by nine compared to the previous year. In fact, more transgender characters were counted than in the previous study, but 61% of these characters will not return due to cancellation or the end of the series.
Queer people of color made up 51% of LGBTQ+ characters on screen, a slight increase from last year, but there were steps backwards for certain ethnic groups, including Indigenous, Middle Eastern/North African and Black LGBTQ+ characters, all of which declined year over year.
“Nearly a third of non-LGBTQ+ Americans say LGBTQ+-inclusive media has changed the way they perceive our community,” said Sarah Kate Ellis, CEO and President of GLAAD. “We are at a critical juncture today where hateful rhetoric flows unchecked from politicians and the media and is given a falsely amplified platform, even as much of this country overwhelmingly supports the LGBTQ+ community. With so many diverse, entertaining and influential series being canceled at an alarming rate, it is imperative that networks and streamers do not back down.”
Across the eight major streaming services, GLAAD counted 372 LGBTQ+ characters, an increase from the previous study. In terms of scripted broadcast, only 9.3% of series regulars were LGBTQ+. There were 64 LGBTQ+ characters in prime-time cable television—13 fewer than in the last study—but more than half of that number came from FX and HBO alone. Queer representation on linear television has been steadily declining, according to the report.
“There are certain titles, certain showrunners, certain networks that really carry a lot of the load,” Townsend said. “There is the potential for a huge change in the numbers compared to last year if a network cancels a particular series, or, on the positive side, if they put a movie with an LGBTQ+ ensemble into production.”
Shows like What We Do in the Shadows, The English Teacher and FX's Grotesque have made the network second most inclusive with 17 LGBTQ+ characters. HBO took first place with 18 queer characters in The Last of Us, House of the Dragon and Somebody.
One of the areas of concern for the GLAAD team was the lack of on-screen LGBTQ+ characters with HIV. Only one LGBTQ+ character was identified as living with HIV. In their book The State of HIV Stigma, they found that representation informs audiences about the long-term consequences of the disease. They found that Generation Z is less aware of the disease than other generations.
Townsend noted that Generation Z stands out as a key demographic driving demand for inclusive media, with 23% in the US identifying as LGBTQ+. Young people's stories continue to feature LGBTQ+ characters.
“More than 84 million American adults say they are more likely to watch a TV show if it features at least one LGBTQ+ character,” Townsend said. “LGBTQ+ spending power in the U.S. is valued at $1.4 trillion and growing, with 23% of Gen Z adults identifying as LGBTQ+—a number that continues to grow and that we see at similar levels around the world… This audience continues to tune in year after year and continues to support their favorite franchises through merchandise and experience purchases, social media and more.”
Read GLAAD's full report, “Where We Are in TV” Here.
