LGBT characters hit a record high this
year on network television, according to a GLAAD report.
GLAAD's 21st annual Where
We Are On TV report found the highest percentage (4.8%) of
LGBT regular characters on broadcast television since GLAAD began
tracking all broadcast regular characters 21 years ago.
GLAAD also found that more than 25
lesbian and bisexual female characters died on television series this
year.
“[The killings continue] a
decades-long trend of killing LGBTQ characters – often solely to
further a straight, cisgender character's plotline – which sends a
dangerous message to audiences that LGBTQ people are secondary and
disposable,” GLAAD wrote in announcing its findings. “It is
important that creators do not reinvigorate harmful tropes, which
exploit an already marginalized community.”
The report also found an increase in
transgender characters across all platforms, up from seven last year
to 16 this year.