Sixteen gay and
lesbian characters are depicted in network TV series
scheduled for the 2005-2006 season, a small increase
over last year but still inadequate, the Gay and
Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation said Monday. Out
of 710 characters appearing on a regular or recurring basis
on the six major broadcast networks in the new season, about
2% are gay, lesbian, or bisexual, according to the
group's annual study. Last season GLAAD counted 11 gay
characters on network shows.
While there is no definitive data available for
the U.S. gay and lesbian population, GLAAD believes
the percentage is "certainly higher" than that
represented on network TV, spokesman Damon Romine said in an
interview Monday. "This is a shocking misrepresentation of
reality and of the audience watching these programs,"
Romine added in the report of the group's findings.
Although GLAAD has conducted the study for 10
years, this was the first time the specific percentage
of gay characters on TV was calculated, Romine said.
The figure is intended to provide a benchmark to measure
progress in future seasons. Many gay and lesbian characters
fall into minor or supporting roles in the TV season
that begins the week of September 19, GLAAD found. Gay
characters also tend to lack ethnic and gender diversity.
The study looked at 110 scripted shows and found
16 gay or lesbian characters on 14 shows. There were
13 males and three females. Thirteen were white. "If
you're looking at network television to see a good
cross section of our community, you're not going to find
it," Romine said. "What you will find is primarily gay
white males."
Cable TV is ahead of broadcast in "exploring our
lives, families, and careers" and features 25 lesbian
and gay characters in the new season, the group said.
Among the shows cited on cable with major gay
characters: Showtime's The L Word, Comedy
Central's Reno 911! and FX's Starved.
Broadcast shows with gay or lesbian representation
include NBC's Will & Grace and ABC's
Desperate Housewives. (AP)
