GLAAD has just released its latest “Where We Are On TV” report that tracks LGBTQ+ representation on television. Despite major successes with queer-led series like “Heated Rivalry,” “Pluribus” and “The Hunting Wives,” overall representation has declined 25% year over year.
That 25% decline translates into 120 fewer LGBTQ+ characters on screen between the 2024-25 and 2025-26 seasons. That includes a decline of 15% for LGBTQ+ characters of color and a 79% decline for transgender characters.
This development comes at a time of several mergers between major networks and companies, declines in renewals for streaming shows, and a reduction in new show orders.
Some key findings from the report:
- Cable is where the steepest declines are found, both in the inclusion of LGBTQ+ characters and overall programming. Of the cable networks, HBO shows lead in terms of representation, accounting for 30% of LGBTQ+ characters on cable.
- For streaming, 43% of shows that included LGBTQ+ characters won’t be returning next year.
- On network television, leading the list for LGBTQ+ representation are ABC (16 characters) and Fox (10 characters).
- Transgender representation took some of the biggest hits, according to the report, including a massive decline of nearly 80% in transgender characters, dropping from 33 to seven. Of those seven characters, only one appears on network television. There are no transgender characters on cable television this season.
- LGBTQ+ characters of color have declined from 51% to 36%, the largest decline in eight years, according to the report.
- Lesbian and bisexual characters had big gains, increasing 27% and 20%, respectively. This is thanks to shows like Apple TV’s “Pluribus,” ABC’s “RJ Decker” and Netflix’s “The Hunting Wives.”
To read the full report, visit glaad.org/whereweareontv25/
