The Where We Are on TV report analyzes the number of LGBTQ characters on primetime scripted series on broadcast networks, primetime scripted series on cable networks and scripted series on streaming services for the 2022-2023 TV season. This year’s report was released in March 2023.
Below are some of the most remarkable points GLAAD found in its research this year. Download the full report now to read more.
This year, GLAAD counted 659 series regulars set to appear on scripted primetime broadcast series for the 2022-2023 season. Of those, 70 (10.6 percent) are LGBTQ. This is a decrease of 22 characters and 1.3 percent from last year. There are an additional 31 LGBTQ recurring characters counted, bringing the total to 101 LGBTQ characters on broadcast, an overall decrease of 40 characters from the previous year.
On primetime scripted cable, GLAAD counted 86 regular LGBTQ characters and 53 LGBTQ recurring characters, bringing the total to 139 LGBTQ characters. That is an increase of one character from the previous year’s total.
On the streaming services Apple TV+, Amazon Prime, Disney+, HBO Max, Hulu, Netflix, Paramount+ and Peacock, GLAAD counted 239 series regular LGBTQ characters and 117 LGBTQ recurring characters, bringing the total to 356 LGBTQ characters. That is a decrease of two characters from the previous year’s report.
Eight characters (1.3 percent of all LGBTQ characters) were counted as living with HIV.
Of the 596 LGBTQ characters found across all platforms, there were 32 transgender characters counted in this report (5.4 percent of all LGBTQ characters). Of those, there were 16 trans women, 11 trans men, and five trans nonbinary characters.
Of the 596 LGBTQ characters, 149 (25 percent) are bisexual+, a decrease of four percent from last year’s study. This group is made up of 39 men, 104 women, and six nonbinary characters.
Over half of all LGBTQ characters across platforms were people of color (POC), with 304 out of 596 (51 percent of all LGBTQ characters) being POC.
There were 27 LGBTQ characters (4.5 percent of all LGBTQ characters) in this report counted with a disability.
Of the 596 LGBTQ characters, 175 (29 percent) will not be returning due to series cancellations, endings, miniseries/anthology format, or a character dying or leaving the show. Of those, 140 characters won’t return due specifically to series cancellations or otherwise ending.
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About the Where We Are On TV Report
GLAAD’s annual Where We Are On TV report not only propels national conversations about LGBTQ representation, but informs GLAAD’s own advocacy within the television industry. GLAAD uses this yearly data to create a clearer picture of the stories and images being presented by television networks, and to work alongside the networks and content creators to tell fair, accurate, and inclusive LGBTQ stories on screen.
Read about GLAAD’s annual film report, the Studio Responsibility Index, at glaad.org/sri.
Where We Are on TV Archive:
- Where We Are on TV Report: 2022 – 2023 Season
- Where We Are on TV Report: 2021 – 2022 Season
- Where We Are on TV Report: 2020 – 2021 Season
- Where We Are on TV Report: 2019 – 2020 Season
- Where We Are on TV Report: 2018 – 2019 Season
- Where We Are on TV Report: 2017 – 2018 Season
- Where We Are on TV Report: 2016 – 2017 Season
- Where We Are on TV Report: 2015 – 2016 Season
- Where We Are on TV Report: 2014 – 2015 Season
- Where We Are on TV Report: 2013 – 2014 Season
- Where We Are on TV Report: 2012 – 2013 Season
- Where We Are on TV Report: 2011 – 2012 Season
- Where We Are on TV Report: 2010 – 2011 Season
- Where We Are on TV Report: 2009 – 2010 Season
- Where We Are on TV Report: 2008 – 2009 Season
- Where We Are on TV Report: 2007 – 2008 Season
- Where We Are on TV Report: 2006 – 2007 Season