9/22/2008

in

The number of gay and lesbian characters on major networks will double compared to last year.

Phillecia Cochran

The depiction of gay and lesbian characters on network television will double compared to last season.  
  
The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation conducted an annual survey of major-network scripted series and found that there will be 16 regular characters who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT).  
  
GLAAD is reporting that in the 13 years they have been conducting the study, this fall season will show the highest number of recurring LGBT characters.  
  
The most improved network this season, according to GLAAD, is Fox. Last fall the network had no LGBT characters. This year the network will have five, which is the most of any network. While Fox has the highest number representing the LGBT community, the CW and CBS have the lowest with one and zero, respectively.  
  
GLAAD examined 616 series regulars and found that LGBT characters will make up 2.6 percent of the scripted character population, up from 1.1 percent in 2007.  
  
  
  
Source: Hollywood Reporter