GLAAD released the 20th edition of its annual Where We Are on TV study today. The study has tracked the presence of LGBTQ characters on primetime scripted broadcast and cable series as well as scripted streaming originals for two decades and provides essential guidance for the future of inclusion in television. 

The study counted LGBTQ regular and recurring characters who appear on scripted series during the 2024-25 television season (June 1, 2024 – May 31, 2025) on streaming services, cable networks, and primetime broadcast television.

READ THE FULL STUDY HERE.

Key Findings:

• Across primetime scripted broadcast, primetime scripted cable, and scripted streaming original series that premiered a new season between June 1, 2024 and May 31, 2025, GLAAD counted 489 LGBTQ regular or recurring characters in total.
  • This is a 4% increase and 21 additional characters from 468 characters counted in the previous edition.
• Of all 489 LGBTQ characters counted across all platforms, 201 (41%) of them will not be returning due to series cancellations or endings, limited series format, or a character dying or leaving the show.
  • Of those same 489, 159 (33%) specifically won’t be returning due to series cancellation or ending.
  • Of the 489, 192 (39%) appear on series which have been renewed. 96 (20%) appear on series that are pending official public renewal or cancellation announcements.
• On the eight major streaming services (Apple TV, Disney+, HBO Max, Hulu, Netflix, Paramount+, Peacock, and Prime Video) tracked, GLAAD counted 233 LGBTQ series regulars and 139 LGBTQ recurring characters, for a total of 372 LGBTQ characters.
  • This is an increase of 45 characters from the 327 characters counted on these platforms in the previous study.
• On primetime scripted broadcast series, GLAAD found that 9.3% of series regulars (40 of 432) were LGBTQ. This is a slight increase of one character and 0.7 percentage points from the 2023-24 study.
  • There are an additional 13 recurring LGBTQ characters on broadcast which brings the total to 53 LGBTQ characters on broadcast, a decrease of 11 characters from the previous study.
• On primetime scripted cable series, GLAAD counted 47 LGBTQ series regulars as well as 17 LGBTQ recurring characters, for a total of 64 LGBTQ characters on cable.
  • This is a decrease of 13 characters from the previous study. More than half of LGBTQ representation on cable (55%, 35 characters) appear on just two networks – FX and HBO.
• Of the total 489 LGBTQ characters, 33 were transgender (6.7%). This includes 24 trans women, seven trans men, and two nonbinary characters.
  • That is an increase of nine characters and 1.6 percentage points from the previous year. 
• Of the 489 total LGBTQ characters on all platforms, 98 are bisexual+ (20%). This includes 70 bi+ women, 27 bi+ men, and one bi+ nonbinary character.
  • This is a decrease of 15 characters and four percentage points from the previous study. 
• Just over half of the LGBTQ characters total across all platforms are people of color at 248 out of 489 characters (51%). This is 16 more characters than the previous study and an increase of one percentage point.
• There were 12 LGBTQ characters counted with a disability (2.5% of total LGBTQ).
  • This is a decrease of six characters and 1.3 percentage points year-over-year.
• As with the previous study, only one LGBTQ character (0.2%) was counted living with HIV. Similarly to last year, that character (Cris Miró on HBO Max’s Cris Miró (Ella)) will not be returning.

“For the past two decades, our Where We Are on TV study has shown progress on screen, which has helped usher in change and advancements for the LGBTQ community. Nearly a third of non-LGBTQ Americans say that LGBTQ-inclusive media has changed their perception of our community. Today, we are at a critical juncture, with hateful rhetoric running unchecked from politicians and newsmedia and given a falsely amplified platform, even as the majority of this country overwhelmingly supports the LGBTQ community. With so many diverse, entertaining, and impactful series being canceled at an alarming rate, it is imperative that networks and streamers do not back down.” — Sarah Kate Ellis, CEO and President, GLAAD

“Inclusive stories resonate with audiences and drive business success. Over 84 million American adults say they’re more likely to watch a TV show if it features at least one LGBTQ character. The LGBTQ buying power in the U.S. is an estimated $1.4 trillion and is set to grow, with 23% of Gen Z adults identifying as LGBTQ—a number that continues to rise and which we see at similar levels across the globe. This influential audience has contributed to the financial and critical success of shows like Hacks, Abbott Elementary, Yellowjackets, Stranger Things, The Last of Us and more, which have connected with audiences interested in quality storytelling and unique perspectives. This audience has continued to tune in year after year and who further support their favorite franchises through merchandise and experience purchases, social media, and more.” — Megan Townsend, Senior Director, Entertainment Research and Analysis, GLAAD

GLAAD’s Observations and Recommendations

• Representation on broadcast and cable have continually declined, while streaming programming saw a welcome increase of LGBTQ characters. Streaming continues to dominate the numbers and the conversation in terms of LGBTQ inclusion. This was the only platform to see an increase in LGBTQ characters year-over-year, while both broadcast and cable’s LGBTQ characters have shrunk significantly in the last two years.
• More LGBTQ characters will not return next year than those who appear on renewed series. This year, 201 LGBTQ characters (41%) will not return due to series cancellations, endings, a character leaving a show, or limited series. While there are 192 (39%) characters who are on series that have already been renewed, the fate of 96 characters (20%) is still unknown pending official renewal or cancellation announcements.
• Series with LGBTQ ensembles are still too few and far between – and many are ending this year. The LGBTQ community is just that: a community. Over the past few decades, series such as The L Word, Queer as Folk, Looking, Sense8, Pose, and more have shown varied queer people existing together and the different dynamics therein. There are still series tracked this year that include a main queer ensemble, such as Prime Video’s Harlem, Hulu’s Mid-Century Modern, Netflix’s Heartstopper, and FX’s Adults, but a number of these series are ending
• The number of transgender characters on television has slightly increased, but only four characters appear on series that have been officially renewed. Though there were more transgender characters counted than in the previous study, 61% of those characters (20) will not return due to series cancellations, endings or limited series format, while nine additional characters appear on shows that have yet to be renewed. In fact, only four of the 33 characters (12%) appear on series that have currently been announced as renewed. 
• Bisexual+ people make up the majority of the LGBTQ community, yet bisexual representation on TV continues to decrease. Per Gallup, 56% of the adult U.S. LGBTQ community are bisexual. Yet, only 20% of the LGBTQ characters counted in this study are bisexual. This is the third year in a row bisexual+ representation has decreased, a worrisome trend that only leads to the continued misunderstanding of bisexual people. 
• The percentage of LGBTQ characters of color remains steady – but certain demographics saw alarming decreases. The percentage of LGBTQ characters of color has slightly increased up to 51% (+1 percentage point) of all LGBTQ characters counted. However, increases were not seen across the board. After counting eight LGBTQ Indigenous characters in the previous study, there were only four Indigenous LGBTQ characters counted this year. Middle Eastern/North African LGBTQ characters dropped from 13 to seven; and Black LGBTQ characters decreased down to 17% from 20%, a decrease of ten characters year-over-year.
• Once again, GLAAD only counted one LGBTQ character living with HIV. After eight characters living with HIV were counted in the 2022-23 season, that number dropped  to just one in the previous study (Tim Laughlin in the limited Showtime series Fellow Travelers) and that trend has remained with just one character counted this year – Cris Miró, the titular character of HBO Max’s Cris Miró (Ella). As Gen Z continues to be the least knowledgeable generation about HIV, TV has the unique power to educate and reduce stigma. 

READ THE FULL STUDY HERE.

As the WWATV study finds an alarming number of LGBTQ-inclusive series are cancelled or will not be returning, GLAAD is opening a forum for fans to weigh in on what TV show with LGBTQ characters that they want to stay on air. The GLAAD community can vote from a list of  inclusive TV series which are pending official renewal or cancellation. Fans also have the option to write in a meaningful note about why this show is their pick!

GLAAD will publish these findings to our network and community and share select written testimonies from fans. Voting is open from November 6-21 here.

GLAAD’s Work in Creating a Fair, Accurate and Inclusive Representation in Hollywood

GLAAD continues to work as a creative partner for Hollywood, serving as a resource for the industry. The GLAAD Media Institute partners with creators, talent, executives, those in front of and behind the camera to help create and mold LGBTQ-inclusive stories that reach audiences all over the country and the world. 

• The GLAAD Media Institute (GMI) is GLAAD’s division for external consultation & training, education & advocacy, research and portfolio of subject matter experts, covers all areas of media and entertainment. The GMI 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 covers many fields, includes the latest Accelerating Acceptance study, 2024 GLAAD Gaming Report, the inaugural GLAAD Advertising Visibility Index, the 2024 State of HIV Stigma study, and our legacy Hollywood  Studio Responsibility Index (SRI) and Where We Are on TV (WWATV) studies. This research shapes GLAAD’s advocacy work year round and propels international conversations about LGBTQ lives and storytelling. Recent SRI and WWATV studies were honored at both the Anthem Awards and Shorty Impact Awards.
• Black Queer Creative Summit (BQCS) : A groundbreaking event dedicated to empowering, educating, and training Black LGBTQ+ creatives across multiple sectors of the media industry. Through access to industry support, insider knowledge, and resources, the Summit helps participants bring more authentic stories to life — and into the world. The second annual BQCS was held in September in Los Angeles and features NUMBER Black queer creatives across five sectors of the media: executives and industry leaders, creators and storytellers, behind the scenes visionaries, on-screen and live talent, and audio and music development.
• The GLAAD List: In partnership with The Black List, The GLAAD List is 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. Read the scripts chosen for the 2024 GLAAD List here. 

Methodology:

GLAAD’s annual Where We Are on TV study tracks the presence of lesbian, gay, bisexual+, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) characters for the 2024-25 television season. This season marks the 29th year GLAAD has quantitatively tracked the presence of LGBTQ regular and recurring characters on television by calculating their numbers in original scripted programming. This is the 20th edition of the Where We Are on TV study since GLAAD’s initial tally was expanded to create this study in 2005. Read the full methodology here.

This research was supported by the Gilead Compass Initiative and SKITTLES®, a division of Mars Inc.