Where We Are on TV 2023-2024

Executive Summary

  • For the 2023-2024 season, GLAAD counted 454 series regulars across primetime scripted broadcast programming. Of those, 39 (8.6 percent) are LGBTQ. This is a decrease of 31 characters and two percentage points from last year. There are an additional 25 LGBTQ recurring characters, bringing the total to 64 LGBTQ characters on broadcast, a decrease of 37 characters from the previous study.
  • GLAAD counted 49 LGBTQ series regulars and 28 LGBTQ recurring characters on primetime scripted cable, for a total of 77 LGBTQ characters. This is a decrease of 62 characters (45 percent) from the previous study.
  • On streaming services Amazon Prime, Apple TV+, Disney+, Hulu, Max, Netflix, Paramount+ and Peacock, GLAAD counted 208 LGBTQ series regular characters and 119 recurring LGBTQ characters, for a total of 327 LGBTQ characters. This is a decrease of 29 characters from the previous study.
  • Of the 468 LGBTQ characters counted across all platforms, there are 24 transgender characters (5.1 percent of all LGBTQ characters), a decrease of eight characters and 0.3 percentage points from the previous study. Of those there are 11 trans women, five trans men, and eight trans nonbinary characters.
  • Of the 468 LGBTQ characters counted across all platforms, there are 113 bisexual+ characters (24 percent). This is a decrease of 36 characters and one percentage point from the previous study. Of the bi+ characters, there are 69 bi+ women, 38 bi+ men, and six bi+ nonbinary characters.
  • Of the 468 LGBTQ characters across all platforms, 232 (50 percent) are characters of color. This is a decrease of 72 characters and one percentage point from the previous study.
  • There were 18 LGBTQ characters (3.8 percent of all LGBTQ characters) counted with a disability. This is a decrease of nine characters and 0.7 percent.
  • There was only one LGBTQ character (0.2 percent) counted this year living with HIV.
  • Of all 468 LGBTQ characters counted, at least 170 (36 percent) will not be returning due to series cancellations or endings, miniseries/anthology format, or a character dying or leaving the show. Of those, 112 LGBTQ characters (24 percent) won’t be returning due to series cancellation or ending.

2023-2024 OVERALL FINDINGS

Gender breakdown of total LGBTQ characters

No Data Found

Total LGBTQ Characters: 468

  • Men: 224 (48%)
  • Women: 220 (47%)
  • Nonbinary: 24 (5%)

Sexual Orientation breakdown of total LGBTQ characters

No Data Found

Total LGBTQ Characters: 468

  • Gay: 167 (36%)
  • Lesbian: 118 (25%)
  • Bisexual+: 113 (24%)
  • Queer: 49 (10%)
  • Straight: 7 (2%)
  • Asexual: 4 (1%)
  • Sexual Orientation Undetermined: 10 (2%)

Racial Breakdown of Total LGBTQ characters

No Data Found

Total LGBTQ Characters: 468

  • White: 216 (46%)
  • Black: 95 (20%)
  • Latine: 40 (9%)
  • API: 39 (8%)
  • Multiracial: 37 (8%)
  • MENA: 13 (3%)
  • Indigenous: 8 (2%)
  • An additional 20 characters (4%) are non-human

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