LGBTQ Representation on TV Has Major Room for Improvement

Hollywood has faced a tremendous amount of scrutiny in recent years for its lack of diversity. Though this year’s Emmys offered a glimmer of hope for women and creators of color, there’s still a long road ahead for LGBTQ representation.

According to GLAAD’s most recent “Where We Are on TV” report, an annual analysis of LGBTQ characters on network and cable television, less than 5% of the 895 characters studied identified as LGBTQ. That amounts to 43 characters. Only streaming networks like Amazon, Hulu, and Netflix fared better with a total of 65 LGBTQ-identifying characters.

While the progress seen with streaming companies is promising, it’s also disheartening that LGBTQ stories are being relegated to non-traditional formats. One could argue that these services offer superior-quality shows compared to their network counterparts, and it’s better to be represented on the best programs. But mainstream television still needs to do its part.

Showrunner and industry veteran Shonda Rhimes, who also recently spoke out about the Emmys, called for more representation at the Los Angeles LGBT Center’s 48th Gala Vanguard Awards.

“There is a tendency to marginalize or stereotype when these types of characters aren’t seen. People deserve realistic portrayals,” she said.

Odds are, most people have an LGBTQ friend, family member, or co-worker, and continuing to watch programs that omit them is an inaccurate portrayal of the world we’re all living in. As the push for diversity in media continues, it must include the LGBTQ community in those efforts.

Here’s hoping the next “Where We Are on TV” report has some good news.