GLADD Study shows more gay characters on TV

The number of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender characters in primetime continues to rise, according to a new GLAAD study set to be released today. The org found that 3% of scripted series regulars on the broadcast nets are gay and lesbian, up from 2.6% in 2008 and 1.1% in 2007. ABC led the way, with eight characters out of 168 (5%), followed by Fox, with four out of 105 (4%), NBC, with three out of 126 (3%) and the CW, with two characters out of 69 (3%). CBS had none, which the org called "disappointing." GLAAD officials said they were also concerned about a lack of diversity among the LGBT characters -- as just four are people of color. According to the GLAAD study, male characters outnumber women 57% to 43% overall in primetime. White characters rep 77% (466 out of 600), followed by African Americans, at 11% (67) and then Latino representation, which is down to 5% (27). Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders rep 4% (23 characters). GLAAD also found that the number of regular gay and lesbian characters on the mainstream cable nets dropped to 25 vs. 32 last fall.