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1.4% in2005.In contrast, thenumber ofLGBT series regular & Alliance Against& Lesbian Defamation Alliance The study (GLAAD). 40 to 32. Our analysis also showsOur analysis where also there’s work to bedone,” still For broadcast the2008-2009scripted primetime come multi-layered indeveloping complex, LGBT characters. scripted for all charactersethnicity expected to appear on has compiled characters Since ontelevision. 2005,GLAAD has decreasedcable networks from last year’s analysis, from characters foundonscripted programming onmainstream television schedule,television from up 1.1% in2007,1.3%2006,and to an analysis oftheupcoming season conducted by theGay broadcast the coming during television season. scripted series regular characters inthe2008-2009broadcast shows that LGBT representations account for2.6%ofall will sentations have increased after athree-year slump, according season, lesbian, , and bisexual (LGBT) repre says GLAAD President Neilsays G. GLAAD Giuliano. past year, “This we’ve orientation,statistics onthesexual gender and race/ identity “This dramatic“This increase shows how far manyhave networks For 13 years, GLAAD has countedFor thenumber ofLGBT 13years, GLAAD 2008-2009 Primetime 2008-2009 Primetime Television Season GLAAD’s 13thAnnual Diversity Study Examines Where We Are on TV:

- This This year, the data evaluated shows a reversal ofthat trend: the (Thirteen) and on Down, Shut Up LGBT, thenumber more ofcharacters than twice noted in2007. FoxCW, and The which bothfeatured zero LGBT series regular now features women on bisexual number ofcable representations have decreased. number ofbroadcast representations have increased, the while excel last asitdid year, depicting seven LGBT characters out of of LGBT characters forany continues (5%).ABC to network of 97total series regular characters, has thehighest percentage characters inlast year’s have report, each made to contributions ofLGBTquantity representations onthebroadcast television this year’sthis tally. Fox themost –showing improvement – CBS.”to like see from other networks broadcast (ABC, CBS, networks CW, The Fox and NBC), 16 are programming more something inclusive, is we’re which hoping schedule, contrasted by an increase inrepresentations oncable. seen some real progress from Fox towards making theirscripted In has reported recent asteady years, decrease GLAAD inthe Of the616series regularOf characters counted onthefive (Andrew). five LGBT Fox, with characters out Do Not Disturb Bones (Angela) and (Larry) and (Larry)

House Sit

[2]

GLAAD’s 13th Annual Diversity Study 2008-2009 [3] The CW’s lackThe of representationis now 166 total series regular characters (4%), CBS has themost disappointing show Marco on LGBT character, role thesupporting of work has onlyonescripted series regular ring characterring intheentire series lineup, on character outof126,and onlyonerecur Onthenegativeof any side, network. is another example of the networks’ another ofthenetworks’ is example to year 19this –and features additions merely aclose second to CBS, asthenet notasingle LGBT with series regularing, the highest number ofLGBT characters ally add charactersally backgrounds from all animated series acters –from 13last has risen season also progress towards being more inclusive,” growing number ofrecurring characters GLAAD’s 13th Annual Diversity Study 2008-2009 says Giuliano. “As gradu thenetworks such asalesbian couple onABC’s new The number of recurring LGBT char The Rules of EngagementThe Privileged The Goode Family . . Additionally, . “The . “The - - - - - There are more also bisexual and Up Grey’s Anatomy Rider Rider Office LGBT people ofcolor: Oscar on women portrayed, largely thanks to an regulars. Unfortunately, bezero there will reflected onthe screen.”small omissions in an otherwise increasingly inanomissions otherwise thatdepictions reflect of thespectrum inclusive environment. increase series inthenumber ofbisexual the LGBT community. There are more onbroadcasttions has been television more and more areming, Americans lesbian ortransgender series regular char broadened through aswell, character and walks of life to program to time oflife prime and walks acters onbroadcast striking television, seeing theirLGBT and neighbors The diversity of diversity LGBTThe representa (Fox), and Angela on (NBC), Andrew on (NBC) now is joined by Callie on (ABC), Carrie on Bones Sit Down, Shut (Fox). The Knight - - - vide 39series regular LGBTvide characters, LGBT add additional viewers, representa number ofrecurring LGBT characters dropped from 40tonetworks 32series regulars, disappointing but still higherregulars, disappointing butstill of LGBT-focused here! cable networks compared to last year’s 17.Thepresence combined, and fourrecurring characters. tions. These two networks alone will pro will alone twotions. networks These 16recurringthe same, characters with in mainstream cable series stayed about than years two ago, only25LGBT when more oftheother than cable all networks and Logo, program for which specifically acters announced by themainstream series regulars were announced. The On cable, thenumber ofLGBT char “ - - - Breakdown ofLGBT Regular andRecurring Characters onBroadcastNetworks 26% 24 Males Gender Identity 6% 9 Females 2 MTF 14% 1 BisexualMale 4 Lesbians 23 GayMales 68% 11% LGBT Breakdown 6% 3% 2 StraightMTF 5 BisexualFemales 26 Whites 1 Biracial 3 Latino/as 9% 9% 66% 3% Race/Ethnicity 3% 3% : 3 Blacks 1 Non-Human 1 Asian-PacificIslander 73% [4]

GLAAD’s 13th Annual Diversity Study 2008-2009 [5]

GLAAD’s 13th Annual Diversity Study 2008-2009 Networks:Broadcast on Drama Series returning characters: Serena’s brother on Eric romance between series regulars Callie and Erica. out potential in stand has also anotheron primetime. ABC series with and offers a rare portrayal ofa gay man over the age of60 ing himself to embrace after identity his years ofdenial, to share ofaman allow finally story portunity themoving came outas officially who gay last season presents anop marriage Walker. to Kevin Thecharacter of Uncle Saul, from recurring to series regular last season’s following (played by openly gay actor Luke Macfarlane) promoted theScotty gay-inclusive with storylines, characterWandell wasnounced our2007report published. when the show last season buther orientation had been unan acters; thecharacter ofThirteen on these developments result from theaddition ofnew char –has anthe list adramaLGBT with character. Not of all –except network forCBS,every markedly absent from many LGBT-inclusive drama series ontheschedule, and cancellation of , LGBT-inclusive dramatic series, series regulars. In last year’s we counted report, onlytwo crease inthenumber ofbroadcast dramas featuring LGBT All recurring LGBTAll characters indramatic series are ABC’s In beasignificant in the2008-2009season, there will Brothers &Sisters Cashmere Mafia Grey’s Anatomy, both on ABC. This bothonABC. This year,with the even continues to feature many , there are three as times

which is set to is feature which a Brothers &Sisters House appeared on and - - - - - , -

Brothers&Sisters’ LukeMacfarlane, ABC Chaz Pratt on of his orientation.of his first acknowledgment mark the season will Jungle, character on a returning recurring have astronger presence inthecoming year. is Also,Roy while to includethem again inthehopes that these characters will fortheupcomingby thenetwork season, and we have chosen Writers’ Strike. Bothcharacters have been labeled asrecurring peared more frequently, dueto likely seasons truncated by the but were ultimately disappointed that neither character ap we counted and Joe bothLucy asrecurring inlast year’s report, tory’s assistant, Roy, on on Rodell

this second this Wilde, FOX House’s Friday Night Lights Lipstick ER Olivia Olivia , Carmelita on Lipstick Jungle , Joe on Sexy Dirty Grey’s Anatom . It shouldbenoted that , Mayor Lucy y and Vic - - Characters onBroadcast TV: LGBTand Supporting Dramatic withLeading Series Privileged, Knight Rider, House, Grey's Anatomy, Brothers &Sisters, Bones, Fox Fox The CW The

NBC ABC ABC Lipstick Jungle, Gossip Girl, Friday Night Lights, ER, Money, Sexy Dirty on Broadcast TV: LGBTRecurring characters Dramatic with Series NBC The CW The

NBC

ABC NBC [6]

GLAAD’s 13th Annual Diversity Study 2008-2009 COMEDY!

- - and and each each

The The openly openly which will , The Goode Family, Goode The Desperate House Desperate , Ugly My Name is Earl is Earl Name My an animated series that that series animated an Do Not Disturb, Not Do in which Bree’s gay son Andrew will Andrew son gay once in which Bree’s Sit Down, Shut Up, Shut Sit Down, Returning favorites include Returning favorites There has also been an increase in the number number in the an increase has also been There gay couple, Bob and Lee. On Lee. and Bob couple, gay as will featured be Marc to assistant continue gay a supporting series regular, while his boyfriend,a supporting regular, series again be joined by Wisteria Lane’s newly married Lane’s Wisteria by be joined again as well as an unnamed character played by by played character unnamed as well as an feature a gay man, Larry, as one of the employees as one of the employees Larry, man, a gay feature the series regulars, and and regulars, the series of whom appeared in previous seasons. of whom appeared clude Earl’s friend Kenny on friend Kenny clude Earl’s of a hip hotel. New recurring characters characters recurring New hotel. York of a hip New of LGBT-inclusive broadcast comedies, though though comedies, broadcast of LGBT-inclusive recurring roles. Other recurring characters will characters in recurring Other roles. recurring network Devin executive Banks on not by as large a margin as the broadcast dramas. dramas. as the broadcast a margin as large not by wives, will include a gay Latino drama teacher among among teacher will Latino drama a gay include on Trish will and Mo named two include lesbians Fox: Fox: Each of this season’s new additions comes from from comes additions new of this season’s Each Cliff, and transgender CEO AlexisCEO Cliff,will in and transgender appear Orlando Jones on CBS’ returning comedy comedy returning on CBS’ Jones Orlando Rules of Engagement. ABC’s freshman animated series series animated freshman ABC’s

Broadcast Networks: Comedy on on Comedy GLAAD’s 13th Annual Diversity Study 2008-2009 Study Diversity Annual 13th GLAAD’s [7] COMEDY! Jesse Tyler Ferguson, FOX Ferguson, Tyler Jesse Do Not Disturb’s Disturb’s Not Do

“Many of the most popular and criti- cally regarded shows in primetime are inclusive of the our community, send- ing a clear message that audiences are responding to authentic and engag- ing stories of LGBT characters,” says GLAAD Director of Entertainment “Media Damon Romine. Oscar Nunez, NBC Nunez, Oscar The Office’s Office’s The GLAAD’s 13th Annual DiversityGLAAD’s Annual Study 2008-2009 13th [8] [9]

GLAAD’s 13th Annual Diversity Study 2008-2009 Characters onBroadcast TV: Comedic withLeading Series and Supporting LGBTand Supporting American Dad!, The Office, Ugly Betty, Do Not Disturb, Desperate Housewives, Sit Down, ShutSit Down, Up, NBC ABC

Fox Fox Fox Comedic with Series Recurring LGBTRecurring characters on Broadcast TV: , Fox Rules of The Engagement, CBS The Goode Family,ABC 30 Rock, NBC 30 Rock, My Name Earl, is NBC ABC

The Simpsons, Fox Rules of The Engagement, CBS The Goode Family,ABC 30 Rock, NBC 30 Rock, My Name Earl, is NBC Dirty Sexy Money). Sexy Dirty actress ( asCarmelita on playedone ofthem is by atransgender features transgender two characters, and on theirscripted series. Thenetwork tonetwork depicttransgender characters rare. In theonlybroadcast is fact,ABC characters being women. only38%ofitstotal series regularwith Fox 46%,while rankedsecond is with last, beingCW comes women. inaclose The 49%ofitsseries regular characterswith female characters in the upcoming season, thelargestleads with total number of analysts foundthat ABC edge1). GLAAD 2000 consistently women give theslight (where Census figuresfrom 1990 and divergence from thegeneral population than female characters, demonstrating a that each features network more male five broadcast analysts found networks, 616series regularof all characters onthe Series that gender explore are identity thesex and genderExamining identity leaving bothtransgender people ofcolor and transgender men unrepresented. der characters onany Moreover, broadcast network. characters existing thetwo are women, white involvement inthenew season of Unfortunately, has announced ABC that Rebecca Romijn’s have character, reduced will Alexis, Ugly Betty, meaning benoseries regular that transgen there will Sex andGender Identity Diversity: -

Ugly Betty’s Rebecca Romijn., ABC

[10]

GLAAD’s 13th Annual Diversity Study 2008-2009 LGBT People of GLAAD analysts found that NBC leads the networks in overall racial and ethnic Color on Television: diversity, with people of color comprising 24% of the total series regular characters. Gender Identity ABC and Fox follow with 21% each, The CW with 20%, and CBS trailing with 19%. When examining the racial and ethnic 43% diversity of each network’s LGBT repre- 57% sentation, the numbers shift only slightly. On broadcast television, NBC and Fox are positioned to present the highest num- 354 Males 262 Females ber of series regular LGBT characters of Race/Ethnicity color in the upcoming season, with NBC featuring biracial bisexual Carrie 3%1%0% 6% on Knight Rider and Latino gay man Oscar 11% on The Office,while Fox has Latino gay man Andrew on Sit Down, Shut Up and Asian- Pacific Islander bisexual woman Angela on 79% Bones. Despite this increase in the number of LGBT people of color in broadcast pro- 485 Whites 67 Blacks 34 Latino/as 19 Asian-Pacific Islanders gramming, there is still room for improve- 8 Other 3 Non-Human ment. Even on ABC, a standout in its total number of LGBT representations, Callie (Grey’s Anatomy) is the exception to the 2008-09 Diversity Breakdown by Network rule. Out of 15 regular and recurring LGBT 90% 79% 81% 79% 80% 80% 76% characters on ABC, Callie is the only one 70% who is a person of color. 60% On cable, 27 series feature at least one 50% LGBT character, but only 13 series have 40% an LGBT character of color. The LGBT- 30% 24% 21% 21% 19% 20% interest cable networks, here! and Logo, are 20% overwhelmingly white, with 86% of their 10% 4% 5% 0% 2% 1% 0% LGBT characters sharing the same race. ABC CBS NBC Fox The CW

Percentage of Whites Percentage of People of Color [11]Percentage of LGBT Characters Scripted Series withLGBT Series Scripted People ofColor, Broadcast: The Rules of The Engagement, CBS* Knight Rider, NBC Grey’s Anatomy, ABC Privileged,CW The Bones, FoxBones, ER, NBC* ER, Sit Down, ShutSit Down, Up, Fox *Denotes recurring character Generation, TheN , Showtime GREEK, ABC Family ABC GREEK, Paradise Falls, here! : The Next , Showtime Nip/Tuck, FX Entourage, HBO

GLAAD’s 13thAnnual Diversity Study2008-2009 Scripted Series withLGBT Series Scripted People ofColor, Cable:

True Blood, HBO Weeds, Showtime* Rick andRick Steve: The Happiest Gay Couple in All South ofNowhere, TheN Shameless, Sundance Channel the World, Logo *Denotes recurring character

[12]

GLAAD’s 13th Annual Diversity Study 2008-2009

- Increase in Bisexual Representation on Broadcast Television:

While an overwhelming number of LGBT characters on broadcast television are white gay men, now there are a greater number of bisexual characters on scripted shows. On Fox's House, Thirteen (played by Olivia Wilde, who previously por- trayed bisexual character Alex on Fox's The OC) was revealed to be bisexual during the 2007-2008 season. Angela, an existing character on Fox's Bones, has been announced by the network as being bisexual this season amidst rumors of an ex-girlfriend returning to the picture. At the end of last season, ABC's Grey's Anatomy showed Callie and Erica in the early stages of mutual attraction, suggesting a potential relationship that would be the only romance between female series regulars currently on broad- cast television. On NBC, Knight Rider's Carrie was romantically involved with a woman in the television special upon which the series is based, though it remains to be seen if that aspect of her character will be explored in the series. There is only one male character on broadcast television counted as bisexual: Roger the Alien on Fox's animated series American Dad!

Increasein Bisexual Representation on Broadcast Television [13] Increase in Bisexual Representation on Broadcast Television: , Logo Rick and Steve Rick and

In addition, GLAAD has included better than those on broadcast networks Scripted programming from LGBT-interest cable in presenting what might be considered Programming on Cable: networks Logo and here! in the cable an accurate percentage of people of color. statistics this year. 39 of the 71 (55%) Indeed, white gay men (such as Salvatore LGBT series regular characters on cable on AMC's or Charlie on TNT's Last season, the mainstream cable net- will air on either Logo or here! during Raising the Bar) continue to be the works announced 40 series regular LGBT the 2008-2009 season. These networks dominant face of the LGBT community characters. This season, that number has were included in the study to acknowl- in cable programming, with white slipped to 32. LGBT visibility on cable is edge the considerable volume of original characters comprising 83% of the suffering from the loss of shows such as programming coming from the two net- total number of series regular HBO's The Wire,the death of gay charac- works, including Dante’s Cove and Rick & LGBT representations. ters on series like Showtime's , Steve: The Happiest Gay Couple in and the lack of confirmation about the All the World. 2008-2009 return of LGBT-inclusive Beyond the need for more LGBT shows such as Comedy Central's Reno characters in general, there are also a few 911!, FX's The Riches, and BBC America's specific areas where networks can im- Torchwood. Showtime, Sundance Chan- prove. Just as in broadcast television, bi- nel and HBO provide the majority of sexual representations are heavily slated LGBT characters on mainstream cable, towards women (five series regulars) over but other networks should strive for the bisexual men (one series regular). And same degree of inclusivity. LGBT representations on cable are no

Mad Men’s Bryan Batt, AMC

[14] [15] Series with Leading and Supporting withLeading andSupporting Series The L Word, Showtime The Life and Times of Vivienne The Lair, here! LGBT Characters onCable Vyle, Sundance GREEK, ABC Family ABC GREEK, : Night Shift, Generation, TheN Degrassi: The Next Mad Men,AMC Nip/Tuck, FX Exes and Logo Ohs, Eureka, Sci Fi Channel Entourage, HBO GLAAD’s 13th Annual Diversity Study 2008-2009 SOAPnet Dante’s Cove, here!

The Sarah Silverman Program, The of Tara, Showtime The Wife,Starter USA , HBO Weeds, Showtime Comedy Central Couple theWorld, in All Logo Rick andRick Steve: The Happiest Gay Raising theBar, TNT Paradise Falls, here! Nurse Jackie, Showtime Shameless, Sundance Channel Sugar here! Rush, South ofNowhere, TheN BBCAmericaSkins, Series with Recurring LGBT withRecurring Series Characters onCable: Brotherhood, Showtime Summer Heights High, HBO

-

Breakdown of LGBT Regular and Recurring Characters on Cable Networks :

Gender Identity Race/Ethnicity 2% 1% 4% 2% 5% 7%

44% 53%

82%

74 Whites 6 Asian-Pacific Islander

48 Males 40 Females 2 MTF 1 FTM 5 Blacks 4 Latino/as 2 Other

LGBT Breakdown 1% 2%2% 8%

51%

36%

46 Gay Males 33 Lesbians 7 Bisexual Females 2 Straight MTF Brotherhood, Showtime 2 Bisexual Males 1 Gay FTM

Summer Heights High, HBO GLAAD’s 13th Annual DiversityGLAAD’s Annual Study 2008-2009 13th [16] Alternative Programming:

Although not included in the statistics within this report, it is important to acknowledge the strong presence of reality programming on broadcast and cable networks, and the consis- tent high level of LGBT visibility found in this genre. Series such as , Top Chef, : My Life on the D-List, Million Dollar Listing, Shear Genius, Top Design, Flipping Out, and Work Out ensure that Bravo maintains its status as a leader in LGBT representation

within reality programming. CBS, despite its lackluster performance in the scripted arena, CW The Isis, outshines other broadcast networks in reality series, continuing a trend of LGBT inclusion on shows such as Big Brother and Survivor. One positive development GLAAD analysts noticed within reality programming is an increase in transgender representations. This pertains to both broadcast and cable networks, with contestant Isis receiving much media attention for her participation on The CW's America’s Next Top Model’s Model’s Top Next America’s America's Next Top Model and as a viable contender on VH1's . Over the past summer, Dorae Saunders, a transgender woman and Tina Turner imper- sonator, appeared on NBC's America's Got Talent. And on Logo, the romantic reality series featured transgender actress as , and included a transgender man among the contenders vying for her affection. “Bravo maintains its status as a leader in LGBT representation within reality programming.”

[17] America’s Next Top Model’s Isis, The CW Trish, asrecurring characters. Oncable, Logo's animated program named Roger asaseries regular, and gay couple Terry and Greg on Fox's teacher, asaseries regular. Anew animated program inABC's mated Fox program, implied that Mr. Burns’ assistant Smithers gay. is ani Another programming.time Onbroadcast Marge's television, sister Patty line-up, as recurring characters. Fox introducing also is anew animated series, Young DeGeneres Show Reese. girlfriend, to anew foralong-term theshow fall along this with storyline, ofromanceexploration see Bianca between thetwo, return will thecoming outofBianca, thetransitionwith ofZoe, and the Luke and Noah. ABC's the WorldAs Turns acknowledgment. deserve –also CBS' report primetime in this Thereis considerable LGBT representation in animated prime In the syndicated market, Emmy Award-winning realityDaily dramas like programs, –which, are notcounted Daytime Dramas:Daytime Sit Down, Shut Up, bothstar openly gay have personalities who addressed is The Goode Family, The Simpsons and Emmy Award-nominated American Dad!, continues to follow theromance between is alesbian,is and theshow has frequently , which will includeAndrew, will which agay will includealesbian couple, Mowill and features alien an bisexual which brokewhich ground Judge David The Ellen - - - mer wedding to actress Portia deRossi. marry, and proudly showed her weddingfrom her sum video McCain forgay lack about his ofsupport want couples to who anti-gay comments, questioned Presidential candidate John to phone on-airto OklahomaKern Sally politician her discuss the wake ofthemurder ofgay youth attempted Lawrence King, openly onher show about the need forLGBT acceptance in sues to pertinent theLGBT community. This year, spoke Ellen Rick &Steve:Rick The Happiest Gay Couple in All the World LGBT-focused cable Logo. network jority ofanimatedjority LGBT characters recurring are rather still than regulars, and with theendregulars, of and with on broadcast, and three couples oncable. Unfortunately, thema one gay couple and onelesbian couple asseries regulars, and one the onlyanimated LGBT representations oncable appear on gay characters is the visibility ofsame-sex couplesgay –two characters thevisibility is gay couple asrecurring characters. One particularly noteworthyOne particularly trend about ofanimated thelist Visibility on Visibility Animated Programming: Drawn Together

on Comedy Central, features - [18] -

GLAAD’s 13th Annual Diversity Study 2008-2009 Conclusion:

In a recent New York Times article2, Robert Mendez, senior vice president for diversity at the Disney-ABC Television Group, was quoted as saying, “When you look at our programs, the most popular ones — ‘Grey’s Anatomy,’ […] ‘Desperate Housewives’ — one of the things they have in common is diversity in lead charac- ters and stories. We believe that diversity makes those shows much more interesting.” All networks should embrace the same philosophy. “GLAAD applauds the series that have proven a commitment to diversity in their representations,” says Romine, “and we look forward to what the networks have in store for us in the coming year.”

Notes on Method: In preparing this report GLAAD has compiled as best as possible complete character data for all scripted broadcast network shows, and the identities of all LGBT characters on scripted cable programming. The report constitutes the most accurate informa- tion available at press time, and thus is presented with the disclaimer that some character information may change before or during the programming season. Footnotes:1) U.S. Census Bureau press release available at http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/ population/000440.html. 2) "Generation Mix: Youth TV Takes the Lead in Diversity Casting," August 20, 2008, available at http:// www.nytimes.com/2008/08/21/arts/television/21disn.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

[19] Four Year Trends: : 4 Year Trends - Number of Regular and Recurring LGBT Characters on Broadcast Networks (figures represent counts made at each season's launch) 25 23

20 19 16

15 14

10 6

5 4 4 4 2 2 2 2 1 1 0 0 0 2005-2006 2006-2007 2007-2008 2008-2009

Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender

4 Year Trends - Number of Regular and Recurring LGBT Characters on Cable Networks (figures represent counts made at each season's launch) 50 47 45 40 35 33 30 25 25 19 20 17 14 14 13 15 11 11 9 10 4 3 5 1 1 2 0 2005-2006 2006-2007 2007-2008 2008-2009* Gay Lesbian Bisexual Transgender

* Beginning with the 2008-09 report, these numbers now include the LGBT networks Logo and here!, which represent GLAAD’s 13th Annual DiversityGLAAD’s Annual Study 2008-2009 13th 43 LGBT characters on cable. Also, note that one of the gay characters for 2008-09 is also counted in the transgender category (Max on Showtime's The L Word). [20] Glaad’s Media Programs Team

The Media Programs Team at the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation works with media professionals and community leaders to ensure that coverage of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans- gender (LGBT) community is fair, accurate and inclusive. Every day, GLAAD staff members work with media professionals by pitching story ideas, identifying potential spokespeople and providing background information and terminology suggestions. In addition, GLAAD staff travel through- out the country to conduct spokesperson trainings with community members while supporting national, statewide and local organizations on the ground to develop messages, create media plans and support day-to-day media communications. We work to ensure that the images of the LGBT community that appear on the evening news, on the front page of the newspaper and in the local movie theater reflect the diversity of our community. From our work in local communities to our initiatives around media coverage of young adults, sports and faith issues, GLAAD's Media fairPrograms Team seeks to change hearts and minds by amplifying the voices of our community in the media. Entertainment Media Team GLAAD’s Entertainment Media Team not only works with television and film as a resource to encourage fair, accurate and inclusive representation of LGBT people, but also combats issues of defamation in these industries. This process is unique to each individual project, but may involve accuratereading scripts, viewing rough cuts, pitching stories, consulting with writers and producers, or working with talent to better inform them about portraying LGBT characters. GLAAD also pro- motes LGBT-inclusive projects through its .org channel TV Gayed and its entertainment blog cineQueer. Contact us at [email protected]. [21]inclusive. GLAAD's Entertainment Media Team : Damon Romine Entertainment Media Director

Since 2005, Damon Romine has led GLAAD's entertainment the race/ethnicity and gender of every character on primetime efforts. In addition to his defamation-fighting work, Romine has network television, making this report a definitive examination consulted with all of the networks and dozens of producers and of television diversity. He has presented GLAAD findings to writers regarding their LGBT content. Romine is the architect many audiences and is frequently called upon by national and and executive producer of GLAAD's ongoing Be an Ally & a local media. A former television development executive, author, Friend public education campaign, which has reached millions entertainment journalist and magazine editor, he is a member through network and online PSAs expressing the importance of of the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, the straight allies. He is the creator of the annual GLAAD Network County Commission on Human Relations' Media Image Coali- Responsibility Index, first released in 2007, which measures and tion, the Entertainment Resource Professionals Association, and ranks LGBT content on the major broadcast and cable net- the National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association. Romine works. He is also the author of GLAAD's annual Where We Are holds two bachelor's degrees from the University of on TV diversity study, now in its 13th year. In 2005, Romine Missouri, Columbia. re-imagined the report to include not only LGBT diversity, but

Sarah Holbert Entertainment Media Manager

Sarah Holbert monitors and evaluates LGBT images in tele- vision and film, tracking the development of characters and storylines to serve as a resource to journalists and the entertain- ment industry. She is the lead researcher on the annual GLAAD Eleanor Morrison Entertainment Media Fellow Network Responsibility Index and is a contributor to cineQueer, GLAAD's entertainment blog. She also maintains GLAAD.org's The newest member of the entertainment team, Eleanor growing database of LGBT-inclusive film. Holbert holds a degree Morrison regularly tracks and examines hundreds of hours of in women's studies from the University of Redlands and has been television and is the principle author of TV Gayed, a weekly at GLAAD since 2004, following a four-year stint as an agent in online guide to what’s LGBT in television on GLAAD.org. She the entertainment industry. is also the lead researcher on the annual Where We Are on TV report and a contributor to cineQueer, GLAAD's entertainment blog. Morrison holds a bachelor's degree in media studies from the University of Georgia, and a communication and social psychology MSc from the London School of Economics and Political Science. She is currently working toward her PhD in communication at the University of Southern . [22]