Tuesday, October 9, 2012

U.S. TV "Gayest" Ever

GLAAD's 8th annual report on gender and ethnic diversity reports that with the new Fall shows, there are now 111 openly LGBT ( Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, or Transgender) characters in regular or recurring roles on scripted TV shows.  31 of those are regular characters on the five major broadcast networks, and they represent 4.4% of all regular characters.  While that level of representation remains far below the estimated proportion of LGBT individuals in the general population, it is the highest level of representation seen in the eight years that GLAAD (Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Discrimination).  The number of regular LGBT characters also increased on cable's original scripted programming, from last year's 29 to 35.  GLAAD also noted that this last year saw the emergence of black LGBT characters on broadcast network programming.  Such characters were scarce throughout the earlier years of its analysis (none last year), but the study found 7 regular or recurring black LBGT characters this year.
GLAAD President Herndon Graddick said the increasing numbers reflect "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," Graddick added in a statement.
  It's a start, anyway.

Source -  Gay characters at record high on U.S. television, Reuters

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