The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) just released their 20th annual report on LGBTQ+ representation on television in the past year, and there’s a lot to discuss. From gay marines in Boots to explorations of sexuality fluidity in Hacks, LGBTQ+ representation on screen continues to evolve and diversify.

But why does LGBTQ+ representation even matter? In this post, we’re going to unpack what the research says about LGBTQ+ representation on screen and why it impacts everyone, no matter your gender or sexuality.

GLAAD is a media advocacy organization that provides a variety of reports related to queer representation in film and TV. In their most recent ‘Where we are on TV’ report, which was released earlier this month, GLADD reports more recurring LGBTQ+ characters in primetime scripted shows this year compared to last year (about a 4% increase in LGBTQ+ representation). GLAAD identified that nearly 1 in 10 recurring characters in primetime television series identified as LGBTQ+. Yet, more than 40% of the TV shows that included a recurring LGBTQ+ character will be cancelled or terminated this year. Let’s talk about why the upcoming drop in representation is concerning.

Do TV characters shape attitudes toward LGBTQ+ people?

The way LGBTQ+ people are represented on screen shapes public attitudes that influence real-world rights, from anti-discrimination protections to access to healthcare and safety. When audiences see LGBTQ+ lives portrayed with depth and humanity, it fosters empathy that supports a more equitable society. For instance, watching shows like Queer as Folk and Queer Eye has been found to help reduce negative attitudes towards gay people (Yao et al., 2024), particularly among audience members who originally held anti-LGBTQ+ views (Bond, 2021).

This is a concept known as parasocial contact hypothesis – watching diverse characters on TV helps us feel more connected to LGBTQ+ people as we identify with them (Schiappa et al., 2005). But not all representation is equal; some on-screen portrayals reinforce stereotypes, instead of challenging them. Which is why we must ask ourselves: what kind of stories are being told about LGBTQ+ folks and who gets to be represented?

LGBTQ+ People in the Media

LGBTQ+ people have historically been misrepresented in film and TV through harmful tropes and stereotypes. Many of these tropes date back to the early days of film, where the Hays codes censored queerness visibility, only allowing LGBTQ+ characters that were villains, corpses, or whose sexuality was only hinted at. Such tropes continue to happen in modern media, like using queerness for comedic effect, which belittles LGBTQ+ identities, or the “bury your gays” trope in which LGBTQ+ characters tend to have storylines that end in death.

Thankfully, representation continues to grow more diverse. GLADD reports that nearly half of this year’s recurring LGBTQ+ characters were people of color, and several recent TV shows, like Our Flag Means Death, have created complex storylines for a varied cast of LGBTQ+ characters.

Feeling Seen on Screen

Representation isn’t just a media trend, it’s a lifeline for LGBTQ+ folks. Having access to scripted media that accurately represents diverse sexualities and gender identities can have tremendous positive impacts on LGBTQ+ people. In addition to reducing prejudice in cisgender and heterosexual audience members, queer visibility in the media validates young people’s developing identities (McInroy & Craig, 2017). As Megan Walker, an actress in Hacks, notes in a recent interview, seeing characters with diverse sexual and gender identities can help folks understand their own identities more positively (Schaeffer, 2023).

Taking Initiative

The stories that we center are more than just entertainment. They reflect who we are, what we believe, and where change needs to happen. Visibility affirms the dignity and equality of LGBTQ+ people, both on and off the screen. When queer stories are erased or distorted, it reinforces the marginalization and discrimination LGBTQ+ communities continue to face in workplaces, schools, and public life. While representation did increase this year, GLAAD’s latest report suggests that TV shows with recurring LGBTQ+ characters will be pulled back in the following year.

Supporting LGBTQ+ content is a form of activism – by ensuring that these stories continue to garner interest, we can signal to networks that LGBTQ+ folks matter.

References & Further Reading:

• Bond, B. J. (2021). The development and influence of parasocial relationships with television characters: A longitudinal experimental test of prejudice reduction through parasocial contact. Communication Research, 48(4), 573–593.

• McInroy, L. B., & Craig, S. L. (2017). Perspectives of LGBTQ emerging adults on the depiction and impact of LGBTQ media representation. Journal of Youth Studies, 20(1), 32–46.

• Schaefer, I. (2023). Children’s television and its effects on LGBTQ youths’ identity milestones, acceptance, and comfort in identity. Journal of Student Research, 12(4).

• Schiappa, E., Gregg, P. B., & Hewes, D. E. (2005). The parasocial contact hypothesis. Communication Monographs, 72(1), 92–115.

• Yao, S. X., Ellithorpe, M. E., Cuddy, L., Siddika, A., Nadeem, H., & Myer, M. (2024). Tidying Up attitudes, Queer Eye style: Parasocial contact with Asian women and gay men. Journal of Media Psychology, 36(3), 168–178.

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