GLAAD RELEASES 12TH ANNUAL STUDIO RESPONSIBILITY INDEX

GLAAD’s 12th ANNUAL STUDIO RESPONSIBILITY INDEX FOUND MAJORITY OF FILM DISTRIBUTORS TRACKED WERE ASSIGNED LOW GRADES, ONLY TWO TRANSGENDER  CHARACTERS COUNTED, NUMBER OF LGBTQ CHARACTERS OF COLOR INCREASED

The study found 27.3% of films tracked were LGBTQ-inclusive, a decrease over year-prior.

Transgender representation in film was found to be “alarmingly low,” as majority of proposed anti-LGBTQ legislation targets transgender people and healthcare.

The study found an overall decline in LGBTQ representation but notable increase in LGBTQ lead roles and an increase in overall racial diversity among LGBTQ characters.

Los Angeles, California – Tuesday, September 17, 2024 – GLAAD, the world’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) media advocacy organization, today announced the findings of its 12th annual edition of its Studio Responsibility Index (SRI), which examines films released in the 2023 calendar year from January 1 – December 31 and centers research and analysis on 10 studio distributors – A24, Amazon, Apple TV+, Lionsgate, NBCUniversal, Netflix, Paramount Global, Sony Pictures Entertainment, The Walt Disney Company, and Warner Bros. Discovery –  including any of their subsidiary distribution labels and majority-owned streaming services.

GLAAD’s SRI maps the quantity, quality and diversity of LGBTQ characters in film. The Index also serves as a road map for studios, identifying priorities and opportunities to increase and improve fair, accurate and inclusive LGBTQ representation and storytelling in film.

Read the full Index including studio ratings HERE
Download the Digital Kit for the 2024 SRI HERE

Key Findings:

• GLAAD counted 256 films in 2023 across 10 studio distributors
• Of the 256 films counted, 70 contained an LGBTQ character (27.3%).
  • This is a decrease from the record high percentage of 28.5% (100 out of 350 films) tracked last year.
• Of the 70 LGBTQ-inclusive films counted, GLAAD counted 170 LGBTQ characters.
  • This is a decrease of 122 characters from the previous year.
• Of these 170 LGBTQ characters, 78 are characters of color (46%).
  • This is an increase from last year’s 40%.
• Of the 170 LGBTQ characters counted:
  • 95 are men (56%)
  • 67 are women (39%)
  • Eight are nonbinary (5%)
• Of the 170 LGBTQ characters counted, there are a total of two transgender characters (Next Goal Wins and ¡Que Viva Mexico!) down from 13 in the previous year.
  • Both characters are transgender women, yet the character in ¡Que Viva Mexico! is played by a cisgender man, reinforcing the false and deadly narrative that trans women are simply men in dresses.
  • There were zero transgender men or transgender nonbinary characters counted.
• Of the 70 LGBTQ-inclusive films released in 2023, 19 films (27%) included bisexual+ characters, an increase from 21% of films in 2022. However, only 15% of overall LGBTQ characters were bisexual+ in 2023.
• Over a third of the LGBTQ characters counted (64 of 170, or 38%) clocked over ten minutes of screentime.
  • Of the 170 LGBTQ characters counted, 21 of them had between five and ten minutes of screentime (12%)
  • Of the 170 LGBTQ characters counted, 38 characters clocked between one and five minutes (22%)
  • Of the 170 LGBTQ characters counted, 47 characters were on screen for under one minute (28%).
• Of the 170 LGBTQ characters counted, only two LGBTQ characters were counted with a disability (1%). This is a significant decrease from the 11 characters counted with disabilities in 2022.
• Of the 170 LGBTQ characters counted, none were portrayed as living with HIV as half of Americans and only 1/3 Gen Z adults say they feel knowledgeable about HIV, according to GLAAD’s 2024 State of HIV Stigma Report.

Overall Ratings, By Studio:
Distributor ratings are based on quality, quantity, and diversity of LGBTQ inclusion in addition to GLAAD’s four-point Vito Russo Test, GLAAD’s set of criteria to analyze how LGBTQ characters are included in a film. The full methodology can be found in the report and provided upon request.

• A24: INSUFFICIENT
• Amazon: GOOD
• Apple TV+: FAILING
• Lionsgate: INSUFFICIENT
• NBCUniversal: FAIR
• Netflix: FAIR
• Paramount Global: INSUFFICIENT
• Sony: INSUFFICIENT
• Walt Disney Studios: INSUFFICIENT
• Warner Bros. Discovery: POOR

From GLAAD President & CEO, Sarah Kate Ellis:
“Though there is inconsistent progress on LGBTQ representation from major distributors year to year, recent films with LGBTQ leads prove that our stories can absolutely be both critical and commercial successes – when they have the full support of the studio behind them. As the film production and distribution model continues to evolve, major distributors must deepen investment and intention in storytelling efforts to retain the attention of growing young diverse audiences, who crave stories that reflect their experience and their values. If LGBTQ representation continues to decline in major releases, these companies will lose relevance with a crucial buying audience. GLAAD is committed to continuing and deepening our work with studios and the creative community to ensure we meet this moment together.” 

From GLAAD Senior Director, Entertainment Research & Analysis Megan Townsend:
“This year’s study found a significant and concerning decrease in representation of transgender characters and stories, down from 12 titles to just two – and one of those films was blatantly transphobic. We know that less than 30% of American adults personally know someone who is transgender, therefore they may be more susceptible to lies and misinformation about trans people spread by anti-transgender politicians and activists. But we also know that ‘portrayals in entertainment media’ is one of the strongest positive influences on people’s attitudes towards trans people, according to GLAAD’s 2024 Accelerating Acceptance study, so telling authentic stories by and about the trans community is crucial at a time when a record number of anti-transgender bills are being introduced and passed. The GLAAD list, a curated list of the most promising unmade LGBTQ scripts, is a great place to start for studios looking to develop titles and hire writers who can tell nuanced, compelling, and diverse stories about people who are transgender.”

Creating a Diverse, Fair and Accurate Representation in Hollywood:
As consumers demand more diversity in films and distribution models evolve, GLAAD is committed to meeting the industry in this moment by serving as a gold standard partner, consulting on content, spotlighting promising projects and creators, and holding the industry accountable for stories which reflect the diversity of the LGBTQ community:

• The GLAAD List: A curated list of the most promising unmade LGBTQ-inclusive scripts in Hollywood. These scripts represent the type of LGBTQ-inclusive stories that GLAAD would like to see studios producing to increase LGBTQ visibility on-screen. With the proper attention and with the collaboration of the right directors and actors, these scripts show tremendous promise and should one day become films that will both entertain audiences and change hearts and minds around the world. Four scripts from The GLAAD List have been released as feature films, including Amazon’s Anything’s Possible, Paramount’s Three Months, and Universal’s Knock at the Cabin, with four more released as proof-of-concept shorts. Another 13 GLAAD List scripts are currently in development at production companies.
• GLAAD’s Communities of Color Department: A leading force driving equitable and accurate representation of Black LGBTQ people, people living with HIV (PLWH), and queer Communities of Color in the realm of entertainment and media. This team has launched exciting new opportunities for underrepresented creatives including the Equity in Media and Entertainment Initiative (EMEI) which is in its second cohort and the Black Queer Creative Summit.
• GLAAD’s Spirit Day – on Thursday, October 17 – celebrates the impact of standing up for LGBTQ youth, as the world’s most visible anti-bullying campaign. Once again this year, GLAAD will organize thousands of celebrities, influential voices, news & media outlets, tv & film studios, brands & corporations, landmarks, sports leagues, tech leaders, influencers, faith groups and so many more to go purple and support LGBTQ youth by creating clear possibility models for them to thrive and be represented in the world.
• Continued impact of The GLAAD Media Institute (GMI): GLAAD’s division for external consultation & training, education & advocacy, research and portfolio of subject matter experts, covering all areas of media and entertainment, continues to meet the needs of an ever-expanding media landscape to ensure LGBTQ people are fairly and accurately represented. Whether it’s production of world class research, providing feedback on scripts and casting, or providing specialized coaching and consulting for individuals or companies to become better equipped to take a stand for equality, the GLAAD Media Institute recognizes that accelerating acceptance for LGBTQ people must be holistic to be truly impactful.
• GLAAD’s Research, including the latest Accelerating Acceptance study, 2024 GLAAD Gaming Report, inaugural GLAAD Advertising Visibility Index and our legacy and Where We Are on TV study shape GLAAD’s advocacy work year round and propel international conversations about LGBTQ lives and storytelling.

GLAAD’s Studio Responsibility Index is produced by GLAAD’s entertainment & research team within the GLAAD Media Institute, GLAAD’s training, research and consulting division of the organization.

Read the full Index including studio ratings HERE
Download the Digital Kit for the 2024 SRI HERE

Methodology

In this report, GLAAD centered its research and analysis on ten studio distributors including any subsidiary distribution labels and majority owned streaming services. These distributors were chosen based on a combination of theatrical box office grosses, Nielsen rankings, breadth of original programming, and cultural and media recognition factors. This report examines films released in the 2023 calendar year (January 1 – December 31) in the United States that were distributed under official studio banners and imprints as reported by Box Office Mojo, the studios and their official channels, and other relevant entertainment reporting sources. Read the full study methodology here.

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About the GLAAD Media Institute: The GLAAD Media Institute provides training, consultation, and actionable research to develop an army of social justice ambassadors for all marginalized communities to champion acceptance and amplify media impact. Earlier version of this report, along with GLAAD’s research library can be found at GLAAD.org/Publications.