LGBTQ+ Representation: At What Cost?

 

What Is GLAAD?

GLAAD is an organization that has dedicated their efforts in fighting against the underrepresentation of the LGBTQ+ community in media. GLAAD was founded in 1985 and has been operating ever since, acting in the forefront of peaceful protests and organizing petitions. Not only do they advocate for the LGBTQ+ community but have also shown efforts in increasing racial diversity. 

Unbalanced Scales

According to the GLAAD website, the year 2020 was bittersweet for the communities under the support of the organization. There were 8 major studio films that were tracked andand each studio was graded based on their representation. All 8 studios were deemed "insufficient" in their representation. 

While there was a rise in LGBTQ+ representation, the racial diversity of the LGBTQ+ characters was nearly non-existent. More than half of the present queer characters received less than three minutes of screen time. Transgender roles were also unseen and have been for three years in a row. 

GLAAD found that of the 118 movies released, only 22 of them feature a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer character. Of these 22 roles, only 34% of them were people of color, which equates to roughly 7 roles. 

The trends in the LGBTQ+ have increased in the last few years, but the statistics of those queer roles that are also POC is steadily decreasing. If you would like to learn more or donate to GLAAD's efforts, click here!

Images:

https://www.glaad.org/

https://scholarblogs.emory.edu/woodruff/news/queer-punks-and-radicals-lgbtq-pride-month

Source:

https://www.glaad.org/releases/glaad%E2%80%99s-2020-studio-responsibility-index-highest-recorded-percentage-lgbtq-inclusive-films