GLAAD's annual survey of LGBT-inclusive
television released Friday found fewer gay characters on network
television than last year.
The group's annual Where We Are On
TV report found that the number of regular gay characters in the
2013-2014 broadcast television season has decreased, while the number
on cable networks has increased.
Last year's report found 31 regular
LGBT characters on scripted shows on network television, the highest
percentage (4.4%) ever. But GLAAD reported a 1.1 percent drop (to 3.3%) in the
current season.
“Last season was a stellar one when
it comes to the sheer number of gay, lesbian and bisexual
representations on television, though diversity within those
storylines showed room for improvement,” GLAAD spokesman Wilson
Cruz said in an emailed statement releasing the study's findings.
“Though the number of LGBT characters
dropped this season, shows like The Fosters, with an
interracial female couple raising a family, and characters like
Unique on Glee have not only moved the conversation about LGBT
people forward, but are also a hit with audiences,” Cruz added.
LGBT depictions on cable networks
increased from 35 regular characters last season to 42. HBO has the
most LGBT characters with 11.