Arts & Entertainment

GLAAD study finds record number of LGBT characters on broadcast TV

‘bury your gays’ trope still a problem for queer women

Published

7 years ago

November 3, 2016

Mariah Cooper

(Screenshot courtesy of YouTube)

It’s more likely that you’ll find an LGBT character on television while flipping through the channels than ever before.

LGBT characters are at an all-time high on broadcast television, according to GLAAD’s annual “Where We Are on TV” diversity study. This is the highest number of LGBT characters recorded since the organization first began the study 12 years ago.

Assessing 895 series regular characters on broadcast TV, the study found that 43 (4.8 %) identified as LGBT. The study also found that 28 recurring characters were LGBT. On streaming services 65% of characters are LGBT, an increase from last year’s 59%.

ABC, which airs shows like “Modern Family” and “How to Get Away with Murder,” is the network with the highest amount of LGBT characters at 7.3%. Fox, home to “Empire,” came in second with 6.4%.

GLAAD notes a trend that 25 queer female characters have been killed across all platforms, further backing the “bury your gays” trope featured on shows such as “Orange is the New Black,” “The Walking Dead,” Chicago Fire,” among others.

The trope caused an uproar on CW’s “The 100” when fan favorite Lexa (Alycia Debnam-Carey) was killed in the midst of developing a romantic relationship with the series lead Clarke (Eliza Taylor). Her death led fans of the show to start a fundraiser for The Trevor Project.

“While it is heartening to see progress being made in LGBTQ representation on television, it’s important to remember that numbers are only part of the story, and we must continue the push for more diverse and intricate portrayals of the LGBTQ community,” GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis said in a statement. “GLAAD will continue to work with Hollywood to tell nuanced LGBTQ stories that accelerate acceptance — and hold the networks, streaming services, and content creators accountable for the images and storylines they present.”

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Out & About

Drag Underground returns

Indiana Bones, Bombalicious Eklaver, Shi-Queeta Lee, Cake Pop! to perform

Published

2 seconds ago

April 26, 2024

Tinashe Chingarande

Dupont Underground and the Washington Blade have teamed up to host “Drag Underground” on Friday, April 26 at 7:30 p.m. at Dupont Underground.

Performers include Indiana Bones, Bombalicious Eklaver, Shi-Queeta Lee and Cake Pop.

Tickets start at $15 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.

Out & About

White House Correspondents’ Dinner set for Saturday

Colin Jost serving as emcee

Published

6 mins ago

April 26, 2024

Tinashe Chingarande

(Washington Blade file photo by Michael Key)

The annual White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner is set for Saturday, April 27 at the Washington Hilton with Colin Jost serving as emcee.

President Biden is scheduled to speak and numerous celebrities are expected around D.C. all weekend for related parties and events.

The Washington Blade is the only LGBTQ outlet that is a member of the Association and is hosting a table of VIPs, including actor Billy Porter and Congressman Robert Garcia (D-Calif.).

“We look forward to the Dinner each year to celebrate our press freedoms and to thank a range of allies and supporters for their work on behalf of the LGBTQ movement,” said Blade Editor Kevin Naff.

Calendar

Calendar: April 26-May 2

LGBTQ events in the days to come

Published

2 hours ago

April 26, 2024

Tinashe Chingarande

Friday, April 26

Center Aging Monthly Luncheon with Yoga & Intergenerational Hangout will be at 12 p.m. at the DC Center for the LGBT Community. Chair yoga will be at noon. Lunch will be provided by the Gay Professional Men of Color at 1 p.m. Guests can bring a beverage of choice. For more information, email [email protected].

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Social in the City” at 7 p.m. at Courtyard by Marriott Dupont Circle. This fun weekly event brings the DMV area LGBTQ community, including allies, together for delicious food and conversation. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.

Trans Support Group will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This group is intended to provide emotionally and physically safe space for trans people and those who may be questioning their gender identity/expression to join together in community and learn from one another. For more details, email [email protected].

Saturday, April 27

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Brunch” at 11 a.m. at Freddie’s Beach Bar & Restaurant. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.

Sunday, April 28

AfroCode DC will be at 4 p.m. at Decades DC. This event will be an experience of non-stop music, dancing, and good vibes and a crossover of genres and a fusion of cultures. Tickets cost $40 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.

Go Gay DC will host “LGBTQ+ Dinner” at 6:30 p.m. at Federico Ristorante Italiano. This event is ideal for making meaningful new connections and community building or just to unwind and enjoy extended happy hour. Attendance is free and more details are available on Eventbrite.

Monday, April 29

Center Aging: Monday Coffee & Conversation will be at 10 a.m. on Zoom. This is a social hour for older LGBTQ adults. Guests are encouraged to bring a beverage of their choice. For more details, email [email protected].

Tuesday, April 30

Pride on the Patio Events will host “LGBTQ Social Mixer” at 5:30 p.m. at Showroom. Dress is casual, fancy, or comfortable. Guests are encouraged to bring their most authentic self to chat, laugh, and get a little crazy. Admission is free and more details are on Eventbrite.

“5th Tuesdays Open Mic” will be at 8 p.m. at Busboys and Poets at 14th Street, N.W. For two hours, audiences can expect a diverse chorus of voices and a vast array of professional spoken word performers, open mic rookies, and musicians. The event will be hosted by Charity Blackwell. Tickets cost $8 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.

Wednesday, May 1

Job Club will be at 6 p.m. on Zoom. This is a weekly job support program to help job entrants and seekers, including the long-term unemployed, improve self-confidence, motivation, resilience and productivity for effective job searches and networking — allowing participants to move away from being merely “applicants” toward being “candidates.” For more information, email [email protected] or visit thedccenter.org/careers.

Thursday, May 2

Virtual Yoga with Charles M. will be at 7 p.m. on Zoom. This is a free weekly class focusing on yoga, breath work, and meditation. For more details, visit the DC Center for the LGBT Community’s website.