Accelerating Acceptance 2024

Part 3: The Importance of Media Exposure

Media exposure is critically important to changing hearts and minds.

Less Than 30% of Non-LGBTQ Americans Personally Know Many Members of Our Community

% Non-LGBTQ who personally know someone in our community

Numbers will not add to 100% because people can select multiple options

Fewer Non-LGBTQ Adults Are Seeing Our Community in Media

% Non-LGBTQ exposed to media

Media portrayals play a big role in non-LGBTQ American’s perception and comfortability with our community, especially if you don’t personally know someone LGBTQ

Exposed to in ads

Exposed to in ads
Arrow indicates 95% stat sig yoy

2023 vs 2024

Exposed to in TV/Movies

Exposed to in TV/Movies
Arrow indicates 95% stat sig yoy

2023 vs 2024

Personal Experiences and Portrayals in Entertainment Media have had the Greatest Positive Influences on Attitudes towards Trans People.
Social Media and News Coverage have the Most Negative Influence.

Personal Experiences and Portrayals in Entertainment Media have had the Greatest Positive Influences on Attitudes towards Trans People. Social Media and News Coverage have the Most Negative Influence.

Exposure to LGBTQ People in Media Grows Familiarity with Us by Up to +50%

% change in familiarity among non-LGBTQ people based on media exposure vs. no media exposure

Exposure to LGBTQ People in Media Grows Familiarity with Us by Up to +50%

Media Exposure is also Associated with Higher Levels of Comfortability with Our Community

% change in comfortability based on media exposure vs. no media exposure

And People who have Seen Us in Media Think More Favorably of Brands that also Include Us

% change in agreement with the below statements based on media exposure vs. no media exposure

And People who have Seen Us in Media Think More Favorably of Brands that also Include Us

The GLAAD MEDIA INSTITUTE provides training, consultation, and research to develop an army of social justice ambassadors for all marginalized communities to champion acceptance and amplify media impact. 

More Publications from GLAAD

The GLAAD Studio Responsibility Index (SRI) maps the quantity, quality and diversity of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) characters in films released by seven major motion picture studios during the 2021 calendar year. GLAAD researched films released by Lionsgate, Paramount Pictures, Sony Pictures, United Artists Releasing, Universal Pictures, Walt Disney Studios and Warner Bros., as well as films released by four subsidiaries of these major studios. The report is intended to serve as a road map toward increasing fair, accurate and inclusive LGBTQ representation in film.

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This report brings an academic and personal voice of the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had to-date on the fight to end the HIV epidemic, while also providing recommendations/ needs from people at community based organizations (CBOs) who serve and support the community. We underscore the disruption in access to HIV prevention and care services due to mitigation measures imposed in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, which will have implications for many years to come. We also highlight innovation to HIV service delivery that provided an important bridge between healthcare professionals and clients in an unprecedented time. Our recommendations will help sustain the fight against HIV in the United States in the midst of this pandemic, and future health emergencies.

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stay tuned!