There are More Gay Characters on Broadcast Television Than Ever Before

categories: LGBT and the Media, LGBT Entertainment

Published October 01, 2009 @ 06:36AM PT

Modern Family A new report from the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) finds that there are more LGBT characters on broadcast television than in the history of the medium. In 2009-2010, three percent of all characters on broadcast television are gay. That's up nearly two whole percentage points from just three years ago and proves that when it comes to flipping the channels, it's getting harder and harder to find a network that doesn't feature at least one (or several) LGBT characters.

"This past year, we’ve seen real progress from many networks toward making their scripted programming more LGBT inclusive," GLAAD President Jarrett Barrios said in a statement.

Real progress, for sure. But three percent is just the tip of the iceberg...especially when conservative estimates suggest that nearly 10 percent of the U.S. population is LGBT.

On a network by network comparison, ABC rates the highest in terms of number of LGBT characters featured, with eight shows featuring LGBT characters (including "Modern Family," with two gay dads pictured above). Fox, NBC and the CW all followed. Dead last? That title belongs to CBS. The network has no love for LGBT characters, with none of their series for 2009-2010 featuring any LGBT characters, save for some reality game shows.

The rest of the GLAAD report can be found here.

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Comments (9)

That is great news. There needs to be more gay characters featured on television.

Posted by Martin Martinez on 10/01/2009 @ 08:21AM PT
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I'm so proud to be my self GAY

Posted by Xecon Jasim Uddin on 10/01/2009 @ 11:44AM PT
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You should be as should all of us who believe in equality be proud of who we are.

Posted by Thomas McHugh on 10/06/2009 @ 06:55PM PT
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It's good that the 2009-2010 TV season is featuring more LGBT actors than at any other time. It's also good that ABC is on the lead with featuring the most LGBT actors on many of their shows, but CBS must not forget that LGBT actors adds a diverse play to shows. Scripts that give of a more LGBT perspective is important in that the LGBT community is important in the United States. 3% is very small and hopefully the number will keep increasing in the next decade.

Posted by Edwin Bonilla on 10/01/2009 @ 02:35PM PT
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Although on daytime television, CBS is home to As the World Turns... But on primetime... hmmm... I guess Christine and Barb's same-sex marriage on The New Adventures of Old Christine doesn't count, even if the actress who plays Barb is gay, it doesn't matter if the character is not.

Posted by Benny Smith on 10/01/2009 @ 03:58PM PT
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Seems we are making progress towards equality and acceptance for all...Slowly but surely.

Posted by Thomas McHugh on 10/02/2009 @ 05:00PM PT
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I think it's great that they are putting more LGBT roles, if not actors on TV. The more marketing LGBT's can get the more people will get accustomed to it. Everything in this world has taken time, and I think the time for LGTB and their friends is now.

Posted by Nichole Warner on 10/04/2009 @ 09:21PM PT
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CBS does have a real gay couple on As the World Turns. They have Luke and Noah who have been characterized in the most important way a gay couple could ever be on television minus the usual antics on a soap opera. This couple is seen as a real legitimate couple and they allow them to kiss all the time. CBS may be last in primetime but they have really done a good job with As the World Turns

Posted by Jose Pedemonte on 10/05/2009 @ 05:04AM PT
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Well, certainly the percentage of LGBT individuals in the United States is at least ten percent; if not more--and I dare say, I would suggest more. To have LGBT individuals in main stream television is good sense. It boosts ratings, as this demographic watches television (regularly) and has the buying/purchasing power to make a mighty difference insofar as ads are concerned. The LGBT community boost ratings significantly in reality shows alone, not to mention sitcoms, too. Shows like The Amazing Race and Survivor wouldn't do nearly as well without incorporating at least a gay member in the cast, if not on every episode, at least on most episodes. It's "reality" television and it certainly wouldn't be without them. LGBT people are everywhere--whether a large portion of the population realizes it or not. This then is reality, folks, let's all face it and get on with our happy lives.

Posted by David Gibson on 10/07/2009 @ 06:30AM PT
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Michael is the Communications Director for the Human Rights Program at Harvard Law School, and previously was Communications Director for Pax Christi USA, a progressive Catholic human rights organization.