'True Blood' Leads Hike In Gay Characters On TV, GLAAD Says
PUBLISHED: SEPTEMBER 29, 2010
True Blood is the most gay-friendly scripted program on television,
a new Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) report
says.
a new Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) report
says.
The 15th annual “Where We Are On TV” reported released Tuesday
found that the HBO vampire drama included the most gay characters
on television.
found that the HBO vampire drama included the most gay characters
on television.
“Thanks to its large cast, HBO's True Blood is the most inclusive
program currently on television, featuring six regular and recurring
LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) characters,” the survey
says.
program currently on television, featuring six regular and recurring
LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) characters,” the survey
says.
Overall, the 2010-2011 network season has 23 LGBT primetime
characters, five more than last year. Cablers have added gay characters
at a faster pace this year. After declining to a low of 25 characters last
year, cable networks rebounded to 35 in the upcoming season. But that's
a lower number than in 2007, when cablers regularly featured 40 gay
characters during primetime.
characters, five more than last year. Cablers have added gay characters
at a faster pace this year. After declining to a low of 25 characters last
year, cable networks rebounded to 35 in the upcoming season. But that's
a lower number than in 2007, when cablers regularly featured 40 gay
characters during primetime.
Among the networks, ABC again topped the list with 11 gay characters
out of 152 (7.2%), followed by Fox with 5 (5%), CW with 3 (4.5%), and
NBC with 3 (2.1%). CBS, which has previously promised to increase its
diversity, came in last with 1 (0.8%).
out of 152 (7.2%), followed by Fox with 5 (5%), CW with 3 (4.5%), and
NBC with 3 (2.1%). CBS, which has previously promised to increase its
diversity, came in last with 1 (0.8%).
“The increase in lesbian, gay and bisexual characters on primetime
television not only reflects the shift in American culture towards
greater awareness and understanding of our community, but also
a new industry standard that a growing number of creators and
networks are adopting,” Jarrett Barrios, president of GLAAD, said.
“The recent critical and commercial success of shows like Modern
Family and Glee clearly indicate that mainstream audiences embrace
gay characters and want to see well-crafted stories about our lives.”
television not only reflects the shift in American culture towards
greater awareness and understanding of our community, but also
a new industry standard that a growing number of creators and
networks are adopting,” Jarrett Barrios, president of GLAAD, said.
“The recent critical and commercial success of shows like Modern
Family and Glee clearly indicate that mainstream audiences embrace
gay characters and want to see well-crafted stories about our lives.”
BY ON TOP MAGAZINE STAFF
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