GLAAD released its annual “Where We Are on TV” report on Thursday, revealing that LGBTQ representation declined year-over-year, at least in part due to pandemic-related production delays and cancellations.
The annual study found that 9.1% of series regulars (70 of 773) on broadcast in the 2020-21 TV season are LGBTQ, including characters like “Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist’s” Mo (Alex Newell) and The CW’s new Batwoman, played by Javicia Leslie. That’s down from the record high of 10.2% in 2019-20.
The study notes that the conclusion of series like “How to Get Away With Murder” and “Empire,” as well as the untimely cancellation of ABC’s “Stumptown,” took away a number of major LGBTQ characters.