- Of the 118 films GLAAD counted from the major studios in 2019, 22 (18.6 percent) contained characters identified as LGBTQ. This is a slight improvement of 0.4 percent, an increase of two films from the previous year’s 18.2 percent (20 of 110 films).
- This year showed a decrease in lesbian and bisexual representation. Gay men appear in 68 percent (15) of inclusive films, an increase from last year’s 55 percent.
Lesbian representation has decreased significantly, down to 36 percent (8) of inclusive films from 55 percent in 2018. Bisexual representation slightly decreased to 14 percent, a one-percentage point drop but an equal number of films (three). There were zero films with transgender characters from the major studios in 2019, a disappointing finding consistent with the last two years.
- This year showed a decrease in lesbian and bisexual representation. Gay men appear in 68 percent (15) of inclusive films, an increase from last year’s 55 percent.
Lesbian representation has decreased significantly, down to 36 percent (8) of inclusive films from 55 percent in 2018. Bisexual representation slightly decreased to 14 percent, a one-percentage point drop but an equal number of films (three). There were zero films with transgender characters from the major studios in 2019, a disappointing finding consistent with the last two years.
- GLAAD tallied 50 total LGBTQ characters among all mainstream releases in 2019, an increase from 45 in 2018. Men continue to outnumber women
characters, by an even greater margin than last year. In 2019, of the LGBTQ characters, there were 34 men and 16 women, compared to the 26 men and 19 women of 2018’s major studio films. There were zero transgender or non-binary characters counted in mainstream releases this year.
- GLAAD tallied 50 total LGBTQ characters among all mainstream releases in 2019, an increase from 45 in 2018. Men continue to outnumber women
characters, by an even greater margin than last year. In 2019, of the LGBTQ characters, there were 34 men and 16 women, compared to the 26 men and 19 women of 2018’s major studio films. There were zero transgender or non-binary characters counted in mainstream releases this year.
The racial diversity of LGBTQ characters saw another significant decrease this year, with only 34 percent of LGBTQ characters being people of color, compared to 42 percent in 2018, and 57 percent in 2017. Of the 50 characters counted in 2019, 33 were white (66 percent), 11 were Black (22 percent), four were Latinx (eight percent), and two were Asian/Pacific Islander (four percent).
The racial diversity of LGBTQ characters saw another significant decrease this year, with only 34 percent of LGBTQ characters being people of color, compared to 42 percent in 2018, and 57 percent in 2017. Of the 50 characters counted in 2019, 33 were white (66 percent), 11 were Black (22 percent), four were Latinx (eight percent), and two were Asian/Pacific Islander (four percent).
- For the first time, GLAAD counted LGBTQ characters with disabilities. This year, there was only one character with a disability (two percent of all LGBTQ characters) in major releases. Subsidiary releases from art house studios counted two LGBTQ characters with disabilities, both from Sony Pictures Classics.
- For the first time, GLAAD counted LGBTQ characters with disabilities. This year, there was only one character with a disability (two percent of all LGBTQ characters) in major releases. Subsidiary releases from art house studios counted two LGBTQ characters with disabilities, both from Sony Pictures Classics.
- Again, drama and comedy films were the most inclusive genres this year, with seven inclusive films each. Genre films (Action, Sci-fi/Fantasy/Horror) followed with six inclusive films, while Animated/Family films counted two, and there were zero LGBTQ-inclusive documentaries from the major studios.
- Among the studios, Paramount Pictures had the highest percentage of LGBTQ-inclusive films at 33 percent (three films), while Lionsgate had the highest number at five films (25 percent).
Separately, GLAAD examined the film releases of four smaller, affiliated studios (Focus Features, Roadside Attractions,
Searchlight Pictures, and Sony Pictures Classics) to draw a comparison between content released by the mainstream studios and perceived “art house” divisions. Of the 34 films released under those art house imprints in 2019, GLAAD found eight to be LGBTQ-inclusive (24 percent). This is a significant decrease from 35 percent (14 out of 40) in 2018. It is also worth noting that all of the LGBTQ characters counted in the subsidiary studios were white men.