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Home , Alexandra Billings, Anna Silk, Caity Lotz, Charlyne Yi, Chasing Life, Difficult People

2015-16 WHERE WE ARE ON TV 2015 Where We Are On TV

CONTENTS INTRODUCTION

Message from Sarah Kate Ellis, CEO & President of GLAAD 3

Methodology 4

Highlights 5

Summary of Broadcast Findings 6

Summary of Cable Findings 8

Summary of Streaming Findings 10

FINDINGS

Sex and Gender 12

Race and Ethnicity 15

Representation of Black Characters 18

Representation of Latino/ Characters 20

Representation of Asian & Pacific Islander (API) Characters 22

Representation of People With Disabilities (PWD) 24

Representation of Bisexual and Bi+ Characters 26

Representation of Characters 27

Representation on Alternative Television 28

Representation on Daytime Television 29

Representation on Spanish-Language Television 30

GLAAD’s Entertainment Media Team 31

2 2015 Where We Are On TV

MESSAGE FROM SARAH KATE ELLIS CEO & PRESIDENT OF GLAAD

Twenty years ago, GLAAD began Additionally, LGBT stories must go far tracking the number of , , beyond the common “” bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) narrative. characters on television, and at The expansion of the television the time, could count them on landscape into digital platforms one hand. Slowly but surely, those is helping to spark these needed numbers increased and just over 10 changes, as content creators like years ago, GLAAD began gathering and Amazon are making their more comprehensive data about mark with groundbreaking series like diversity on broadcast programming and Transparent. This year, for to get a sense of how LGBT people the first time, GLAAD has expanded fit into the picture, and created the our analysis to count LGBT characters Where We Are on TV report. Since on these original streaming series as then we’ve seen amazing changes in well. This is one way the Where We the television landscape, especially Are on TV report has grown this year, in the quantity of LGBT characters. along with more detailed data and But numbers only tell part of the analysis around TV’s gender balance, story, which is why GLAAD is turning and representations of people the focus of its television analysis of color, people with disabilities, to pushing for more diverse LGBT bisexual, and transgender characters. characters and more substantive This will allow GLAAD to more LGBT stories. succinctly identify diversity deficits As each of us lives at the and storytelling opportunities for intersection of many identities, it’s networks and television creators important that television characters moving forward. reflect the full diversity of the LGBT We’ve witnessed tremendous . It is not enough to just progress in television since GLAAD include LGBT characters; writers must began tracking the presence of LGBT craft those characters with thought characters 20 years ago, but there is and care. They must reject harmful, still a great deal of work to be done outdated stereotypes and avoid token and many new and exciting stories to characters that are burdened with be told. We will continue to applaud representing an entire community networks and streaming services through the view of one person. telling these stories – and hold their The critical and commercial feet to the fire when they don’t. success of series like Empire, Transparent, and can serve as an example to network executives that audiences are looking for stories they haven’t seen before; indeed, there are still plenty of stories about our community Sarah Kate Ellis yet to be told. LGBT people of color CEO & President have remained underrepresented GLAAD for years, and transgender men have been all but invisible in the media.

3 2015 Where We Are On TV

DIVERSITY OF REGULAR CHARACTERS ON PRIMETIME SCRIPTED TELEVISION

Straight 96% (846 characters)

LGBT 4% (35 characters)

METHODOLOGY

GLAAD’s annual Where We Are on to change based on programming TV report forecasts the expected adjustments over the course of the presence of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and television season. This year, the Where transgender (LGBT) characters for the We Are on TV report counts characters 2015-2016 television season. Counts on scripted series that began after are based on scripted series which air May 31, 2015, and looks at anticipated or are expected to air in primetime casts for the 2015-16 season. between June 1, 2015 and May 31, While we have included an 2016 for which casting has been editorialized chapter on streaming announced. television for several years, this This season marks the 20th year year marks the first time GLAAD has GLAAD has tracked the presence of assessed the regular and recurring LGBT characters on television by LGBT characters on first-run scripted calculating their numbers in scripted series on Amazon, , and Netflix. primetime programs across both Due to the lack of defined seasons for broadcast and cable networks. In , GLAAD includes 2005, GLAAD expanded this count into programs that premiered or are the Where We Are on TV report, which expected to premiere between June 1, has allowed us to track trends and 2015 and May 31, 2016 and for which amass statistics for all series regular casting has been announced by the characters on broadcast television content providers. This report counts with regard to sexual orientation, both original series created by the gender identity, and race/ethnicity. content provider, as well as foreign At the beginning of the fall season, series providers have acquired. the information found in this report is accurate, but remains subject

4 2015 Where We Are On TV

HIGHLIGHTS

Of the 881 regular characters expected The number of regular LGBT characters For the first time, GLAAD counted LGBT to appear on broadcast primetime counted on cable increased from 64 characters on original series that programming in the coming year, 35 (4%) to 84, while recurring characters increased premiered on Amazon, Hulu, and were identified as gay, lesbian, or from 41 to 58. Netflix. GLAAD found 43 series regulars bisexual. There were an additional 35 and 16 recurring LGBT characters across 23 recurring LGB characters. series.

There are no transgender characters Bisexual representations rose on All three programming platforms need counted on primetime broadcast both broadcast and cable this year to include more racially diverse programming, while only three recurring with a notable increase (from 10 to 18) LGBT characters. Overall racial diversity trans characters were counted on cable in the number of bisexual men appearing is moving in the right direction with 33% (2%). Streaming series boast the highest on cable programs. Unfortunately, many (287) of 881 regular characters counted on percentage of trans characters at 7% (4) with of these characters still fall into dangerous broadcast programming being people of two notably being series leads. Of the seven stereotypes about bisexual people. color, which is a six-point increase from last trans characters counted, only one was a year. transgender man.

GLAAD found that 16% (145) of regular This year, 43% of regular characters For the first time in two years, the percentage characters on broadcast programming on primetime broadcast of regular characters depicted as will be Black, the highest percentage programming are women, which is an living with a disability on broadcast since GLAAD began compiling increase of three percentage points from last programming has dropped, down to comprehensive racial data 11 year but still greatly underrepresents women 0.9% from 1.4% reported last year. Between years ago. However, Black women remain in the population. broadcast and cable, there is only one significantly underrepresented with only 59 recurring character who is depicted as HIV- of those characters being female. positive.

5 2015 Where We Are On TV / Summary of Broadcast Findings

SUMMARY OF BROADCAST FINDINGS

Clockwise from upper left: Tara Milly “TMI” Izikoff (Anna Konkle), FOX’s Rosewood; Annalise Keating (Viola Davis), ABC’s 6 How To Get Away With Murder; Drew (Brendan Fehr), NBC’s The Night Shift; Robbins (Jessica Capshaw), ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy 2015 Where We Are On TV / Summary of Broadcast Findings

BREAKDOWN OF LGBT CHARACTERS IN PRIMETIME PROGRAMMING ON BROADCAST NETWORKS

Lesbian 33% (23 characters)

Gay 47% (33 characters)

Bisexual female 17% (12 characters)

Bisexual male 3% (2 characters)

• Of 881 series regular characters One of the most inclusive programs will add the recurring gay character counted on 118 primetime on broadcast television is FOX’s Curtis Holt, who appears as the hero scripted shows on the broadcast musical drama Empire, which broke Mr. Terrific in the DC Comics source networks (ABC, CBS, The CW, several ratings records in its first material. Marvel’s Agents of S.H..E.L.D. FOX, and NBC), 35 characters are season. In the show’s second season, on ABC will introduce recurring gay LGBT. This is an increase from 32 gay musician Jamal Lyon will be character Joey Gutierrez who has the reported last year. taking on more of a business role as power to spontaneously melt metal. • The overall percentage of the head of the music label, These are all notable developments LGBT regular characters on Empire. Tianna, a bisexual artist for LGBT representation in genre- scripted broadcast series is 4%, signed to the label, was upped to a driven programming, though it an increase of one-tenth of a series regular this year. Several other is increasingly difficult to ignore percentage point since 2014. gay, lesbian, and bisexual characters that LGBT people remain almost will recur. completely shut out of Hollywood’s • GLAAD counted an additional While crime procedurals have long big budget comic films that have 35 recurring LGBT characters on been a place where LGBT characters dominated the box office over the scripted primetime broadcast were most often included as villains or past several years. programming. victims, this season introduces lesbian • Gay men still make up the couple and pathology experts Pippy LOOKING AHEAD majority of 70 regular and and TMI on FOX’s Rosewood. The CBS While the broadcast networks have recurring LGBT characters at sci-fi crime drama Person of Interest made strides in presenting greater 47% (33), a decrease of seven will include the return of hacker Root racial diversity, they must also do percentage points from last year. and assassin Shaw in expanded roles better to reflect the full diversity • Lesbian representation after the two women realized their of the LGBT community. Of the 70 increased five points over last feelings for each other last season. LGBT characters on broadcast in the year to 33%. There will also be some new upcoming season, 69% are white, characters coming to super hero genre which is three percentage points • Bisexual representation rose two shows this year. will resurrect higher than the overall percentage percentage points to 20%. bisexual heroine before of white characters on broadcast. • There are currently no regular or moving her over to the midseason We would also like to see broadcast recurring transgender characters series DC’s as a networks catch up to their online expected on broadcast lead character, the White Canary. Her competitors with the introduction of networks’ primetime scripted former girlfriend Nyssa will continue significant transgender characters. programming. to recur on Arrow, and the series

7 2015 Where We Are On TV / Summary of Cable Findings

SUMMARY OF CABLE FINDINGS

Clockwise from upper left: Loras Tyrell (), HBO’s ; Cosima Niehaus (Tatiana Maslany), BBC America’s 8 Orphan Black; (), ABC Family’s ; Amy Raudenfeld (Rita Volk), MTV’s Faking It 2015 Where We Are On TV / Summary of Cable Findings

BREAKDOWN OF LGBT CHARACTERS IN PRIMETIME PROGRAMMING ON CABLE NETWORKS

Lesbian 22% (31 characters)

Gay 41% (58 characters)

Bisexual female 23% (32 characters)

Bisexual male 13% (18 characters)

Transgender female 1% (2 characters)

Transgender male 1% (1 character)

• The number of LGBT characters cancellations but which aired during The new season will also introduce on scripted cable programs the research period. Paul “Jesus” Monroe, a gay character continued to rise, with 84 regular The teen and young adult-skewing from the comic series that provides characters, up substantially from ABC Family and premium channel the show’s source material. 64 last year. Showtime are set to be the most The most recent season of the • Recurring characters also LGBT-inclusive networks on cable with ’ pirate drama Black Sails increased, from 41 to 58, bringing each network boasting 18 regular or revealed that lead character and the overall count to 142 regular recurring characters. Notably, these feared pirate Captain James Flint and recurring LGBT characters two networks are also responsible for was previously involved with a man, expected. all transgender characters counted on and featured several other bisexual • Gay men still represent the cable. characters. The hacker series Mr. majority of LGBT regular and The returning drama The Fosters, Robot on USA features several LGBT recurring cable characters at 41% which follows a lesbian couple characters, including cybersecurity (down from 45% last year). raising their biological, foster, and firm CEO Gideon, Evil Corp’s vice adopted children, is ABC Family’s president Tyrell, and hacker/activist • make up 22% of the Trenton. BBC America’s clone drama LGBT characters, which is a drop most inclusive show with seven LGBT characters, including trans teen Cole Orphan Black also continued to of three percentage points from feature several LGBT characters and the previous report. (played by trans actor Tom Phelan) and new couple Jude and Connor. introduced Cosima’s new recurring • Bisexual women account for The network’s upcoming sci-fi drama love interest Shay. American Horror 23% of LGBT characters on cable , based on The Mortal Story: Hotel will star as The compared to 20% last year, while Instruments book series, will include Countess, the owner of the titular bisexual men make up 13% (up out demon hunter Alec Lightwood hotel, who is romantically involved from 10% in the previous report). and bisexual warlock Magnus Bane. with ’s character • Three of the 142 characters (2%) Another book-to-TV adaptation to among others. are transgender, compared to keep an eye out for on ABC Family just one character last year. is Recovery Road, which will star gay LOOKING AHEAD Unfortunately, one of those three actor Daniel Franzese as a gay man As with broadcast, we would like characters was the now deceased struggling with addiction. to see cable create more racially Angelique on Showtime’s Penny One of TV’s biggest hits is the diverse characters going forward. Of Dreadful. post-apocalyptic drama The Walking the 142 regular and recurring LGBT Among the 142 characters counted, Dead, which added out couple Aaron characters expected, 71% (101) are 17 are not expected to return due to and Eric last season and continues to white characters. characters being written off or series include lesbian zombie hunter Tara.

9 2015 Where We Are On TV / Summary of Streaming Findings

SUMMARY OF STREAMING FINDINGS

Clockwise from upper left: Billy Epstein (), Hulu’s Difficult People; Sol Bergstein (Sam Waterston) and Robert Hanson (Martin Sheen), 10 Netflix’sGrace and Frankie; Stella Gibson (Gillian Anderson), Netflix’sThe Fall; Nomi Marks (), Netflix’sSense8 2015 Where We Are On TV / Summary of Streaming Findings

BREAKDOWN OF LGBT CHARACTERS ON STREAMING CONTENT PROVIDERS

Lesbian* 36% (21 characters)

Gay 39% (23 characters)

Bisexual female 15% (9 characters)

Bisexual male 5% (3 characters)

Transgender female* 7% (4 characters)

*1 character is both transgender and a lesbian

This year, for the first time, GLAAD The Amazon comedy Transparent follows a diverse group of inmates includes a count of the regular and tells the story of Maura, a trans at a women’s prison, including trans recurring LGBT characters in scripted woman coming out to her family late prisoner Sophia Burset, played by series on the streaming content in life, and includes several other trans actress and advocate Laverne providers Amazon, Hulu, and Netflix. lesbian, bisexual, and transgender Cox. This summer, Netflix premiered Due to the lack of defined seasons, characters. Show creator Jill Soloway the new sci-fi drama Sense8 from GLAAD counted scripted series that also paid special attention to ensuring Lana and Andy Wachowski, which has premiered or are expected to premiere diversity both in front of and behind been picked up for a second season. between June 1, 2015 and May 31, 2016 the camera by employing trans The globe-spanning story follows for which casting has been announced writers, crew members, and several eight strangers who learn they have by the content providers. GLAAD trans actors who appear in recurring a mysterious psychic connection. counted both original series created roles. Other LGBT-inclusive Amazon The cast includes telenovela star by these companies, as well as foreign Originals include the music-based Lito Rodriguez and his boyfriend series they have acquired. dramedy Mozart in the Jungle and the Hernando, as well as blogger and • Across 23 series, GLAAD found 1980s-set comedy Red Oaks. hacker Nomi (who is a trans woman) 43 regular lesbian, gay, bisexual, Hulu’s two most LGBT-inclusive and her girlfriend Amanita. and transgender characters. We series are British soap operas Other LGBT-inclusive Netflix counted an additional 16 recurring and , programming includes Grace and LGBT characters. for which the platform owns U.S. Frankie, : The Next Class, distribution rights. The two series The Fall, Bojack Horseman, House of • Gay men make up 39% of those 59 include 10 LGBT characters between Cards, Master of None, Unbreakable characters. them, with Hollyoaks notably Kimmy Schmidt, and Wet Hot American • Lesbians account for 36% including a gay character who is HIV- Summer: First Day of Camp. We’ll also of LGBT representations in positive. Hulu also airs the Australian be keeping an eye on the upcoming streaming series, which is a higher soap in the U.S. which series Marvel’s Jessica Jones. percentage than is found on either includes two gay characters. The broadcast or cable. original series Difficult People, The LOOKING AHEAD • Bisexual women make up 15% Awesomes, Casual, , The We’d like to see streaming content of LGBT representations with Hotwives of Las Vegas and season four providers produce more racially bisexual men at 5%. of (acquired by Hulu diverse LGBT characters going for continuation after it was cancelled forward. We were surprised to find • Streaming original series boast the by FOX) all include regular or recurring that of the 59 regular and recurring highest percentage of transgender LGB characters. characters counted, 73% (43) are characters of all programming white; a percentage higher than that platforms at 7% (four characters). Netflix’s prison dramedy Orange of LGBT characters found on cable or Notably, two of those four Is the New Black boasts more LGBT broadcast programming this year. characters are lead characters on regular and recurring characters their respective series (Maura on than any other scripted program Transparent, Nomi on Sense8). tracked in this report. The series

11 2015 Where We Are On TV / Sex and Gender

SEX AND GENDER

Clockwise from top: Sara Lance/White Canary (Caity Lotz), The CW’s DC’s Legends of Tomorrow; Davina (Alexandra Billings), Amazon’s Transparent; 12 Alisha Granderson (Christina Elmore), TNT’s The Last Ship; Carrie ‘Big Boo’ Black (Lea DeLaria), Netflix’sOrange Is The New Black 2015 Where We Are On TV / Sex and Gender

BROADCAST GENDER BALANCE OVER TIME % Male Characters % Female Characters

100%

80%

59% 60% 57% 58% 58% 57% 57% 57% 55% 57% 57% 60%

40% 45% 43% 42% 42% 43% 43% 41% 43% 43% 40% 43%

20%

0

2005-6 2006-7 2007-8 2008-9 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16

This year, 43% of series regulars on need to realize that slow, incremental primetime scripted broadcast series change simply is not good enough. are women, an increase of three Women are more than half of the percentage points from last year. population and comprise a majority According to the 2010 census, the of the television audience. In fact, country’s population is 51% female. women are 54 percent of the heaviest consumers of media across four media • FOX comes the closest to Of the 70 LGBT characters accurately reflecting our sectors —radio, television, Internet on five broadcast networks, and print newspaper, according to population’s gender balance with 23 (33%) are lesbians and 12 Nielsen Scarborough. Yet, television 48% of their series regulars being (17%) are bisexual women. female, an increase of 10 points network studio heads and senior from the previous year. management are more than 70 percent male and over 90 percent • There are 135 female series white, according to research cited regular characters of color, which in WMC’s Status of Women in U.S. accounts for 47% of all characters Media 2015. If network executives are of color. serious about real transformation • There are 59 Black female regular and truly wish to produce television characters expected (44% of programming and characters that female characters of color), 33 better reflect the representation of Latinas (24%), 27 Asian Pacific- women and girls, we invite them Of the 142 LGBT characters Islander women (20%), and 16 to look internally at the industry’s on cable primetime scripted women who belong to another decision makers. This is crucial to series, 31 (22%) are lesbians ethnicity or are multiracial (12%). making sure that women’s stories, and 32 (23%) are bisexual • The largest discrepancy among perspectives and voices are heard.” women. 2 of these characters are trans. broadcast women of color is After droppings seven points last the number of Black female year, the gender balance of LGBT characters (59 females versus characters on primetime scripted 86 male characters). Women broadcast has returned to parity. outnumber men among other Hopefully lesbian and bisexual non-white ethnic groups tracked. women will fare better on broadcast “While it’s encouraging to see in the coming season than in the that the number of female regular previous year, which included the Of the 59 LGBT characters characters on broadcast television is deaths of several queer women. For on streaming original series, at an all-time high, it’s disappointing instance, the 2014-15 season included 21 (36%) are lesbians and 9 that the percentage of women in the deaths of lesbian EMT Shay on (15%) are bisexual women. 4 these roles is largely unchanged over NBC’s Fire and lesbian hacker of these characters are trans. the past 11 years,” said Julie Burton, Charlie on Supernatural (The CW) President of the Women’s Media among others. Center (WMC). “Network executives On cable, the gender balance of

13 2015 Where We Are On TV / Sex and Gender

LGBT regular and recurring characters GENDER BALANCE BY BROADCAST NETWORK is 44% female to 56% male, a figure similar to the previous year. • Of the 142 characters, 31 (22%) are lesbians and 32 (23%) are bisexual women. There are 58 gay characters (41%) and 18 bisexual men (13%). • Cable counts three recurring FOX ABC transgender characters: two 48% female characters 45% female characters trans women (3% of LGBT female characters) and one (1% of LGBT men). On streaming series, female LGBT characters actually outnumber males, 56% to 44%. • Of the 59 LGBT regular and recurring characters, 21 are lesbians (36%) and 9 are bisexual women (15%). There are 23 gay men (38%) and three bisexual men (5%). • There are four regular and CBS The CW recurring trans women on 42% female characters 41% female characters streaming programs, they represent 12% of the LGBT females counted.

NBC 39% female characters

14 2015 Where We Are On TV / Race and Ethnicity

RACE AND ETHNICITY

Clockwise from upper left: Jamal Lyon (Jussie Smollett), FOX’s Empire; Lena Adams Foster (Sherri Saum), ABC Family’s The Fosters; David Singh (Patrick Sabongui), The CW’s ; Lito Rodriguez (Miguel Ángel Silvestre), Netflix’sSense8 15 2015 Where We Are On TV / Race and Ethnicity

BROADCAST POC REPRESENTATION OVER TIME % White Characters % POC Characters

77% 79% 78% 77% 78% 78% 100% 76% 76% 77% 73% 66%

80%

60%

40%

33% 27% 24% 24% 23% 21% 22% 24% 22% 22% 23% 20%

0

2005-6 2006-7 2007-8 2008-9 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16

The past two years have seen welcome POC REPRESENTATION BY BROADCAST NETWORK increases in overall racial and ethnic diversity on broadcast programming after years of little variation. This year, that number continues to climb with 33% (287) of 881 series regulars being people of color (POC). This is a six point jump from last season’s 27% and a full ten points over two years ago when only 23% of regular NBC FOX characters were POC. 41% POC characters 36% POC characters • NBC leads the five broadcast nets with 41% of their regular characters being POC, a huge jump from last year’s 29%. • FOX is in second at 36%, up from 32% last year. • ABC is third at 32%, which is an increase of two points from last year. • The CW (29%) and CBS (25%) are again in fourth and last respectively, though both nets did post increases from the previous year. ABC The CW Given the increase in regular characters 32% POC characters 29% POC characters of color on broadcast it seems that networks are finally making serious strides towards more diverse representations. The racial diversity of the 70 LGBT regular and recurring characters on primetime scripted broadcast series has also increased, going from 26% to 31% being POC. However, racial diversity is down this year among LGBT characters on cable programming. Only 28% of the 142 LGBT characters counted are POC; a drop of CBS six percentage points. Of the 59 LGBT 25% POC characters characters on original streaming series, 27% (16) are characters of color. This is an area that we would like to see all three programming platforms improve in.

16 2015 Where We Are On TV / Race and Ethnicity

DIVERSITY OF LGBT CHARACTERS ON BROADCAST NETWORKS

White 69% (48 characters)

Black 19% (13 characters)

Latino/a 7% (5 characters)

API 6% (4 characters)

DIVERSITY OF LGBT CHARACTERS ON CABLE NETWORKS

White 71% (101 characters)

Black 11% (16 characters)

Latino/a 8% (11 characters)

API 4% (6 characters)

Other 5% (7 characters)

DIVERSITY OF LGBT CHARACTERS ON STREAMING CONTENT PROVIDERS

White 73% (43 characters)

Black 12% (7 characters)

Latino/a 12% (7 characters)

API 2% (1 character)

Other 2% (1 character)

17 2015 Where We Are On TV / Race and Ethnicity / Representation of Black Characters

REPRESENTATION OF BLACK CHARACTERS

Clockwise from upper left: Ray Holt (Andre Braugher), FOX’s Brooklyn Nine-Nine; Pippy Rosewood (Gabrielle Dennis), FOX’s Rosewood; 18 Poussey Washington (Samira Wiley), Netflix’sOrange Is The New Black; Titus Andromedon (Tituss Burgess), Netflix’sUnbreakable Kimmy Schmidt 2015 Where We Are On TV / Race and Ethnicity / Representation of Black Characters

BROADCAST REPRESENTATION OF BLACK CHARACTERS OVER TIME

100%

80%

60%

40%

20%

15% 16% 12% 12% 12% 12% 13% 11% 11% 10% 11% 0

2005-6 2006-7 2007-8 2008-9 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16

Of the 70 LGBT characters on five broadcast networks, 13 (19%) are Black.

This year, GLAAD found the highest ColorofChange hopes that the percentage of Black regular broadcast increase in Black representation characters it has ever counted - 16% proves to be a lasting change rather (145) - since beginning to gather than temporary reaction to criticism. comprehensive racial data 11 years They’d also like to see more inclusion ago. This is an increase of three of diverse talent behind the lens. percentage points from the previous Robinson continued: Of the 142 LGBT characters on cable primetime scripted year. “At the same time, it’s important series, 16 (11%) are Black. The success of shows like Empire to remember that, in terms of Black and How to Get Away with Murder, representation, we saw similar which star leading Black characters, numbers 10 years ago, followed by a has sparked widespread conversations steady decline in the years following. about diversity in Hollywood. This shouldn’t be just a fad, but truly “There has been a renaissance of the way forward. And it can’t just be Black shows that have emerged in the what we see on our screens but also past year and they’ve told complex behind the cameras, including more stories of Black people from all walks writers, directors and producers of of life. Their success both financially color. We need to see more Shonda’s - and artistically tells us that the they are certainly out there.” Of the 59 LGBT characters television industry, and Hollywood Among LGBT characters on the on streaming original series, at large, has a vested interest in three programming platforms, 7 (12%) are Black. continuing to tell the myriad stories of broadcast featured the highest people of color,” said ColorofChange percentage of Black LGBT characters, Executive Director Rashad Robinson. largely thanks to FOX’s Empire.

19 2015 Where We Are On TV / Race and Ethnicity / Representation of Latino/a Characters

REPRESENTATION OF LATINO/A CHARACTERS

Clockwise from upper left: Joey Gutierrez (Juan Pablo Raba), ABC’s Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.; Dr. Morales (Jonathan Del Arco), TNT’s Major Crimes; 20 Luisa Alver (Yara Martinez), The CW’s ; Callie Torres (Sara Ramirez), ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy 2015 Where We Are On TV / Race and Ethnicity / Representation of Latino/a Characters

BROADCAST REPRESENTATION OF LATINO/A CHARACTERS OVER TIME

100%

80%

60%

40%

20%

8% 6% 7% 6% 6% 5% 5% 6% 4% 5% 7% 0

2005-6 2006-7 2007-8 2008-9 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16

Of the 70 LGBT characters on five broadcast networks, 5 (7%) are Latino/a.

The percentage of Latino/a characters the same program. We expect to see has actually dropped by one point to more of these nuanced characters for Of the 142 LGBT characters 7% (61) from last year’s all-time high. Latinos on the big and small screen,” on cable primetime scripted This is a drastic difference from the he said. series, 11 (8%) are Latino/a. actual U.S. population, which was This year will include the premiere estimated to be 16% Latino/a in the of Hot and Bothered on NBC, starring 2010 census. a predominantly Latino/a cast fronted Alex Nogales, President of the by Eva Longoria. Several other new National Hispanic Media Coalition, broadcast series will also feature notes the new variety of experiences Latina leading characters including that broadcast stories are beginning to Jennifer Lopez on Shades of Blue and tell about the Latino/a community. on Superstore, both “Just a few years ago many on NBC. portrayals of Latinos on television Streaming content providers boast were negative stereotypes. More the highest percentage of Latino/a Of the 59 LGBT characters recently we have seen a balance LGBT characters thanks to shows on streaming original series, emerge in the way we are portrayed. like Hulu’s East Los High and Netflix’s 7 (12%) are Latino/a. Yes, sometimes we are still criminals Sense8. and gang members but these roles are balanced by Latinos playing lawyers, teachers and good within

21 2015 Where We Are On TV / Race and Ethnicity / Representation of Asian & Pacific Islander Characters

REPRESENTATION OF API CHARACTERS

Clockwise from top: Malaya Pineda (Melanie Chandra), CBS’ Code Black; Elliot Park (Rex Lee), ABC Family’s Young and Hungry; 22 Magnus Bane (Harry Shum Jr.), ABC Family’s Shadowhunters 2015 Where We Are On TV / Race and Ethnicity / Representation of Asian & Pacific Islander Characters

BROADCAST REPRESENTATION OF ASIAN & PACIFIC ISLANDER CHARACTERS OVER TIME

100%

80%

60%

40%

20%

6% 4% 6% 2% 3% 3% 3% 4% 4% 4% 5% 0

2005-6 2006-7 2007-8 2008-9 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16

Of the 70 LGBT characters on five broadcast networks,4 (6%) are API.

The percentage of Asian-Pacific Aoki also hopes that networks will Islander (API) regular characters begin to tell more varied stories that increased two points this year to 6% reflect the lived experiences of API (53), a tie for the highest percentage of people, saying: API regulars GLAAD has ever found. “The biggest problem continues “The 6% figure is helped in great to be the exclusion of Asian part by ABC airing two Asian American Americans in places where we’re family : Fresh Off The Boat and found disproportionately in real life. the new Dr. Ken starring Ken Jeong. The Despite the fact that one out of every Of the 142 LGBT characters former – which follows the adventures six doctors in this country is of Asian on cable primetime scripted of an immigrant family – has been a descent, there has only been one Asian series, 6 (4%) are API. critics’ favorite, and the latter – which regular on Grey’s Anatomy in its first 10 also boasts some hilarious moments seasons and none since Sandra Oh left. – offers a more assimilated Asian Although Hawaii is 60% Asian-Pacific American family. For years, we’ve Islander, 30% white, and 3% black, the encouraged the networks to cast Asian/ presence of the API regulars on Hawaii Pacific Islander actors in starring Five-O continues to be diminished in (first name in the credits) roles – not favor of white and black guest stars just in ensemble casts – and the idea (who also play most of the authority is catching on with ABC’s Quantico figures) who tag along with the team to (Priyanka Chopra), AMC’s Into the help solve the crime of the week.” Badlands (Daniel Wu), and Fear The While the percentage of API LGBT Of the 59 LGBT characters Walking Dead (Maori actor Cliff Curtis),” characters is comparable to overall API on streaming original series, said Asian Pacific American Media characters on broadcast, the number 1 (2%) is API. Coalition (APAMC) Founding Member decreases from cable to streaming. and Founding President of Media Action Network for Asian Americans (MANAA) Guy Aoki.

23 2015 Where We Are On TV / Representation of People with Disabilities

REPRESENTATION OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

Clockwise from upper left: Ian Gallagher (), Showtime’s ; 24 Oliver Hampton (Conrad Ricamora), ABC’s How to Get Away with Murder; Natalie Pierce (Stephanie Nogueras), ABC Family’s Switched at Birth 2015 Where We Are On TV / Representation of People with Disabilities

BROADCAST REPRESENTATION OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES OVER TIME

100%

80%

60%

40%

20%

1% 0.8% 0.6% 1% 1.4% 0.9% not tracked not tracked not tracked not tracked not tracked 0

2005-6 2006-7 2007-8 2008-9 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16

For the sixth year in a row, GLAAD uses a wheelchair, and also conducted a count of primetime a character on The CW’s has broadcast’s regular characters that are mobility issues from a severe leg injury. depicted as people with disabilities NBC has no regular characters with (PWD). The U.S. Census Bureau’s 2012 disabilities. American Community Survey’s 1-year On cable, ABC Family includes estimates reports that 12% (37.6 million recurring deaf, lesbian student Natalie people) of U.S. non-institutionalized on Switched at Birth and Pretty Little citizens report living with an apparent Liars’ Charlotte who was diagnosed with disability. In its count, GLAAD included a behavioral disorder. On Showtime, characters who would be covered under Shameless’ Ian Gallagher lives with the Americans with Disabilities Act bipolar disorder. In streaming series, the (ADA), which includes people living with Australian drama Neighbours on Hulu non-apparent disabilities such as cancer includes Nate Kinski who is living with or HIV and AIDS. Inclusion of those post-traumatic stress disorder. disabilities would greatly increase the figures found by the U.S. Census Bureau. REPRESENTATION OF Still, scripted primetime broadcast CHARACTERS LIVING WITH programming continues to fail to reflect the reality of this demographic. HIV AND AIDS This year, the percentage and number Earlier this year, GLAAD partnered of series regulars with disabilities has with the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS dropped for the first time in two years. Foundation and AIDS United to release Less than 1% (0.9% or eight characters) a guide for talking about HIV and AIDS will have a disability this season, in the media. Television has the power compared to 1.4% of characters last year to educate, helping to end stigma. In and 1% the year prior. FOX is leading a groundbreaking storyline, How to the way with four regular characters. Get Away with Murder’s (ABC) recurring Empire includes family patriarch Lucious character Oliver was diagnosed as HIV- Lyon who has been diagnosed with positive in the first season finale, and neuromuscular disease myasthenia subsequent episodes have shown Oliver gravis and eldest son Andre lives with and his boyfriend Connor discussing the bipolar disorder. On Rosewood, series HIV prevention medication PrEP (Pre- lead Dr. Beaumont Rosewood has a pair Exposure Prophylaxis) and establishing of holes in his heart and Scream Queens guidelines for their romantic life going includes Hester, a sorority pledge with forward. In streaming series, the British scoliosis. ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy continues soap Hollyoaks includes HIV-positive to include out Dr. Arizona Robbins who character Ste Hay. We hope to see more uses a prosthetic leg and Marvel’s Agent creators fairly and accurately sharing the Carter features Agent Daniel Sousa stories of people living with HIV going who uses a prosthetic leg and crutch. forward. One of the characters on CBS’ NCIS:

25 2015 Where We Are On TV / Representation of Bisexual and Bi+ Characters

REPRESENTATION OF BISEXUAL AND BI+ CHARACTERS

From left: Flint (Toby Stephens), Starz’s Black Sails; Clarke Griffin (Eliza Taylor), The CW’sThe 100; (Anna Silk), Syfy’s

Of the 271 regular and recurring LGBT Tyrell who sleeps with a male office characters on scripted broadcast, cable, assistant to install spyware on the man’s and streaming programming, 76 (28%) phone; and traitorous Chamberlain are counted as bisexual. This group Milus Corbett on FX’s The Bastard is made up of 53 women and 23 men. Executioner whose sexual liaisons have Given the increase in bisexual characters so far been depicted as a way for him to Of the 70 LGBT characters on television in recent years, it is exert power. Representation of bisexual on five broadcast networks, important to note some of the tropes women has improved in recent years 14 (20%) are bisexual. that we still see playing out in regards with characters like Grey’s Anatomy’s to treatment of those characters. These Callie and ’s Brenna whose include: sexuality is established as just part of • bisexual characters who are their lives. depicted as untrustworthy, prone to “There are real-life consequences infidelity, and/or lacking a sense of to what we see portrayed on TV as morality; ‘.’ Though bisexual people • characters who use sex as a make up the majority of the LGBT means of manipulation or who are community, they are less likely than lacking the ability to form genuine their gay and lesbian peers to be out relationships; to the people they love, because their Of the 142 LGBT characters identity is constantly misconstrued as • associations with self-destructive either a form of confusion, a lie, or a on cable primetime scripted behavior; series, 50 (35%) are bisexual. contrived and hypersexualized means • and treating a character’s attraction to an end. Perpetuating these tropes to more than one gender as a undermines the truth that bisexuality temporary plot device that is rarely is real and that bi people deserve to be addressed again. treated equally and fairly,” said GLAAD We’ve seen a huge jump in the media strategist and bisexual advocate number of bisexual male characters Alexandra Bolles. recently, but unfortunately many of Of the three programming platforms them fall directly into the tropes listed tracked, bisexual characters are Of the 59 LGBT characters above. This includes characters like most likely to be found on cable on streaming original series, Cyrus Henstridge on E!’s The Royals programming. 12 (20%) are bisexual. who last season seduced a member of parliament and then blackmailed him into helping the Queen; Mr. Robot’s (USA)

26 2015 Where We Are On TV / Representation of Transgender Characters

REPRESENTATION OF TRANSGENDER CHARACTERS

From left: Maura Pfefferman (Jeffrey Tambor), Amazon’s Transparent; Sophia Burset (), Netflix’sOrange Is The New Black; Cole (Tom Phelan), ABC Family’s The Fosters While it is encouraging that the transgender We would also like to see Hollywood community is starting to be more visible in eliminate the use of some harmful and entertainment media, we still have a long outdated tropes as it begins to integrate way to go. Of the 271 regular and recurring trans stories into shows and movies. These LGBT characters on scripted broadcast, include: cable, and streaming programming, only • portraying trans characters as tragic seven (2.6%) are counted as transgender. victims; Of the 70 LGBT characters This group is made up of six trans women on five broadcast networks, and one trans man. • depicting the transition process as none are transgender. medically dangerous; The number of Americans who personally know someone who is • portraying trans people as killers, transgender has gone up, but an psychopaths, and villains, who are overwhelming majority (84%) of Americans often mentally ill; learn about trans people through what they • and portraying the majority of trans see in the media. It is imperative then that women as sex workers, especially creators not only include trans characters, with no context given as to why trans but also improve that representation women may be forced into sex work by telling a wider variety of stories and including widespread employment empowering trans people to tell their own discrimination, among other factors. Of the 142 LGBT characters stories. While we are seeing less of these stories on cable primetime scripted One way to do this is to introduce more lately, one regrettable exception is Pretty series, 3 (2%) are transgender, transgender characters who are defined Little Liars’ recent reveal of the villain “A” as though they are only recurring by more than just being transgender. A a transgender character named Charlotte roles, and one will not return good example is Nomi on the Netflix series who tries to kill her own family and herself. following her death. Sense8 who has the same type of dramatic “As more shows begin to include storylines as other characters and is living transgender characters and stories, we’d like her life beyond the “transition narrative” we to see them moving beyond the transition have seen so much of recently. narrative, and include more trans men, Cable and broadcast networks need who remain largely invisible in mainstream to include more trans characters of media. It’s also important that we see substance, in regular roles, to keep up with more diverse depictions of the transgender their competitors on streaming content Of the 59 LGBT characters community, including more trans people providers. Characters the audience can on streaming original series, of color, and characters of different ages, get to know every week will make a much economic statuses, and sexual orientations,” 4 (7%) are transgender. larger impact than ones who only appear said GLAAD’s Director of Programs for sporadically in special episodes. Transgender Media Nick Adams.

27 2015 Where We Are On TV / Representation on Alternative Television

REPRESENTATION ON ALTERNATIVE TELEVISION

From left: Jazz Jennings, TLC’s I Am Jazz; , E!’s I Am Cait; Big Freedia, Fuse’s Big Freedia: Queen of Bounce The casts of reality programs are not the series also included one of the typically announced early enough troupe members, Kareem, disclosing for inclusion in this report, but the to his friends that he is HIV-positive. genre has long lent itself to inclusion Amazon launched This Is Me, a of diverse LGBT representations series of mini documentary webisodes (often before LGBT characters were in which trans and gender non- being regularly included in scripted conforming people shared their programming). Over the summer, stories. The series was directed several new series premiered and by Rhys Ernst, who served as a shone a light on underrepresented consultant and associate producer on identities. Transparent. Two prominent new docuseries In upcoming programming, we are spotlighted the trans community from looking forward to the fourth season two unique perspectives. E!’s I Am Cait return of Fuse’s docuseries Big Freedia: followed Olympian Caitlyn Jenner as Queen of Bounce following New shared her journey with millions Orleans bounce rap artist Big Freedia and helped people understand some and her friends, including trans artist of what it means to be transgender. Katey Red, as they bring bounce music The show touched on her relationships to the mainstream. with her children, the difference between sexual orientation and gender identity, and gave a platform to several trans advocates to talk about their own experiences. TLC’s I Am Jazz followed trans teen Jazz Jennings as she juggled high school, dating, making friends, and her work as an LGBT advocate. Jazz’s experiences were much more grounded in the day- to-day life of a teen. Oxygen turned its focus to the U.S. South with the new series The Prancing Elites Project, which follows a gay and gender non-conforming Black dance troupe in Mobile, Alabama. Notably,

28 2015 Where We Are On TV / Representation on Daytime Television

REPRESENTATION ON DAYTIME TELEVISION

From left: () and (), CBS’ The Bold and the Beautiful; Ellen DeGeneres, The Ellen DeGeneres Show; LGBT characters continue to be Animated programming has been Ruby (Charlyne Yi) and Sapphire (Erica Luttrell), featured on daytime dramas including slow to reflect the diversity of the real ’s ABC’s , NBC’s Days of world, but recent years have seen Our Lives, and CBS’ The Bold and The significant developments. One of those Beautiful. is Cartoon Network’s animated series In March, The Bold and the Beautiful Steven Universe, which has found introduced a new trans storyline with popularity among viewers of all ages. established character Maya Avant One of the show’s main characters is (Karla Mosley) disclosing that she is a alien superhero Garnet, who is the transgender woman who transitioned physical form of two female-presenting a decade ago. In a television first, Maya Gem beings who are in love. and her fiancé Rick recently wed on the show, with Maya’s friend Nick, a trans male character played by trans actor Scott Turner Schofield, performing the ceremony. Both Maya and Nick are set to continue as regular and recurring characters respectively as the series continues. The Bold and the Beautiful premiered in 1987 on CBS and airs in over 100 countries. Over 35 million people around the world watch the show every day. Several LGB personalities continue to feature on daytime talk series including Sara Gilbert on The Talk (CBS), Clinton Kelly on The Chew (ABC), and Ellen on The Ellen DeGeneres Show (syndicated), who is now one of the most successful hosts on TV.

29 2015 Where We Are On TV / Representation on Spanish-Language Television

REPRESENTATION ON SPANISH-LANGUAGE TELEVISION

From left: , ’s La Banda; Esperanza Salvatierra (Sabrina Seara), ’s El Señor de los Cielos; Alejandro de Toledo (Eddy Vilard), Univision’s Antes Muerta que Lichita

Spanish-language networks are inspired a campaign to let the LGBT guests. Suelta la Sopa touched on increasing their LGBT inclusion, but at a leads Felix and Nico have an on-air Caitlyn Jenner’s transition and gave an still unfortunately slow pace, especially kiss. update on Felicia Garza’s life after her in the realm of entertainment. One of the Univision’s Antes Muerta que Lichita, public transition last year. While inclusion challenges is that telenovelas, the scripted which premiered in the in is increasing, more can be done to ensure format that still dominates programming September, includes Alejandro de Toledo, that celebrity talk shows steer away from, hours on the major networks, are often the gay son of the head of the advertising for example, speculation about actors’ written and filmed in Mexico and Latin agency at the center of the novela. Yo sexual orientation or gender identity. America, by producers and networks with No Creo en Los Hombres and the novela Finally, Netflix recently premiered its varied and sometimes outdated opinions La Vecina which is airing currently also first program in Spanish, . on LGBT inclusion. features a gay character, Rafael Padilla The show included a storyline about a gay As networks like Telemundo begin (Benjamín Rivero) who lives in a small soccer player who is outed and kicked off producing more original content in the town and must hide his orientation. of the team when a picture of him kissing U.S., however, we hope to see more LGBT Reality programming and another man is circulated. The series is characters with layered stories. In the entertainment talk shows have typically a promising sign that digital platforms, coming months, Telemundo’s El Señor de included more LGBT content than which have opened the way to more los Cielos will include a bisexual character, scripted programming. Out superstar inclusivity and nuanced LGBT characters Esperanza Salvatierra, played by Sabrina Ricky Martin stars as one of the judges and storylines in English, may do the same Seara. Telemundo has confirmed plans on the musical competition show La for the Spanish-speaking market. to include two gay characters, Gamaliel Banda. El Palenque de Enrique Santos, Latino/a LGBT viewers in this country Alfonso (Michell Guillo) and René Neira on UniMás is hosted by out radio and and in Latin America are clamoring (José Narvaez), in the much-anticipated television personality Enrique Santos for better and more representation, series about singer Celia Cruz. and celebrity entertainment show Sal y as audiences have grown tired of On MundoMax, several novelas Pimienta features out host Jomari Goyso. stereotyped characters and a dearth of include LGBT characters, including On Estrella TV, the new political talk show romantic and realistic stories for LGBT Chepe Fortuna in which a transgender En La Lucha features out host Hernán characters. Hopefully the major networks character is played by transgender Molina. who want to retain or attract viewers actress Endry Cardeño. La Guerrera, Daytime talk shows continue to living in an increasingly accepting world, El Estilista and La Playita along with be a strong source of representation. will catch on to what cable and streaming Rastros de Mentira all include gay Telemundo’s Un Nuevo Día and programs seem to already know, and characters and are airing now. Rastros Univision’s Casos de Familia and Primer create more interesting, complex Latino/a de Mentira, originally from Brazil, Impacto often feature interviews with and LGBT characters.

30 2015 Where We Are On TV

GLAAD’S ENTERTAINMENT MEDIA TEAM

GLAAD’s Entertainment Media Team not only works with entertainment-related media platforms to encourage fair, accurate, and inclusive representation of LGBT people, but also to combat problematic content and instances of defamation in these industries. This process may involve reading scripts, viewing rough cuts, pitching story ideas, consulting with writers and producers, working with talent to better inform them about portraying LGBT characters and arranging entertainment- related events and panels. GLAAD also promotes LGBT-inclusive projects through GLAAD’s newsroom, social media and LGBT TV listings, “Must-See LGBT TV,” and through its annual GLAAD Media Awards.

Zeke Stokes Matt Kane Megan Townsend Vice President of Programs Director of Programs, Entertainment Media Strategist – Entertainment Media zstokes@.org [email protected] [email protected]

GLAAD’S ENTERTAINMENT MEDIA INTERNS

GLAAD’s Entertainment Media Interns join the Programs Team in researching and monitoring LGBT-inclusive content on television and in film. They conduct research for the Studio Responsibility Index, Network Responsibility Index and contribute to GLAAD’s newsroom.

Emily Cameron Jorge Molina Ferdinand Botha Katie Levine Emerson College University of Southern California Institute of the Arts University of Southern California Class of 2017 Class of 2016 Class of 2016 Class of 2017

31 GLAAD rewrites the script for LGBT acceptance. As a dynamic media force, GLAAD tackles tough issues to shape the narrative and provoke dialogue that leads to cultural change. GLAAD protects all that has been accomplished and creates a world where everyone can live the life they love.

glaad.org .com/glaad @glaad