GLAAD Reports Record High of Broadcast LGBTQ Scripted Series Regulars. What does this mean?
Media advocacy group, GLAAD (Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) released its annual report titled "Where We Are in Media." Major media outlets like NBC, Forbes, and USAToday are applauding the report's finding that "A record-high percentage of LGBTQ characters are part of the new TV season's prime-time network series," (WashingtonTimes).
These reports on the study do not mention that this record high number is only 8.8% of broadcast scripted series regulars. Although it is exciting that numbers are rising, this does not mean that broadcast television is champion in media representation of gender and sexuality. At a low 8.8% representation, this means that the LGBTQ community can still symbolically annihilated in the media. Since there are such a small number of representations, this means that characters risk stereotyped or tokenized in these shows.
I think the more exciting revelation from the GLAAD report is that "For the first time, LGBTQ people of color outnumber white LGBTQ people on broadcast," (GLAAD). Both the Forbes and USAToday article mention this, but the NBC article does not.
There's many different aspects of the report to inspect that have to do with our class. It inspects intersections of race, gender, and sexuality in the media. Here's a link to the full GLAAD report anyone who is interested.
These reports on the study do not mention that this record high number is only 8.8% of broadcast scripted series regulars. Although it is exciting that numbers are rising, this does not mean that broadcast television is champion in media representation of gender and sexuality. At a low 8.8% representation, this means that the LGBTQ community can still symbolically annihilated in the media. Since there are such a small number of representations, this means that characters risk stereotyped or tokenized in these shows.
I think the more exciting revelation from the GLAAD report is that "For the first time, LGBTQ people of color outnumber white LGBTQ people on broadcast," (GLAAD). Both the Forbes and USAToday article mention this, but the NBC article does not.
There's many different aspects of the report to inspect that have to do with our class. It inspects intersections of race, gender, and sexuality in the media. Here's a link to the full GLAAD report anyone who is interested.
Thanks for bringing this up, I had not seen the report before now. I agree that it is very exciting that there are more LGBTQ people of color on broadcast. I hope to see more shows with these characters, as I think these intersectional identities have the opportunity to help shape some really complex and multifaceted characters.
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