GLAAD gives MTV, the CW high marks for character diversity

Dan82 · Jul 23, 2010

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/tv/la-et-glaad-20100723,0,2885944.story

outh-oriented networks MTV and the CW devoted larger shares of their prime-time hours to depicting gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender characters than other television networks last season, according to a new analysis by the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation.

In its fourth annual study, the advocacy group handed out its first "excellent" rating ever to MTV for the network's widespread and diverse portrayal of homosexual characters. Forty-two percent of the cable network's original prime-time programming included content that reflected the lives of gay and transgender people, including "The Real World: Washington D.C," which featured two bisexual roommates, and " America's Best Dance Crew," which had a dance crew with openly gay members.

The CW received a "good" rating, having devoted 35% of its prime-time hours to story lines that included homosexual, bisexual or transgender representations. "Gossip Girl," "Melrose Place" and "90210" all had significant gay characters.

GLAAD President Jarrett Barrios said the networks were responding to the expectations of younger viewers, who are more supportive of gays and lesbians than older generations.

"It's a part of their world, and they in many ways expect it to be included in the shows they watch," Barrios said.

The organization analyzed nearly 5,000 hours of prime-time shows on the five broadcast networks and 10 top-rated cable networks. Analysts noted whether gay characters were featured in major or minor storylines as well as their ethnic and racial diversity.

Among the broadcast networks, Fox moved into second place behind the CW, with 30% of its programming featuring gay characters, lifted by "Glee's" story line about a gay character's relationship with his father as well as the presence of Ellen DeGeneres on " American Idol." Still, the network was rated only "adequate," largely because of what GLAAD said were disparaging portrayals of transgender characters on "Family Guy" and "The Cleveland Show...
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Bang Bang · Jul 23, 2010

I'm really glad to see that television is adding more positive LGBT characters into their programming. It's a great thing! I hope soon enough they would have a queer character in every show.

GLAAD gives MTV, the CW high marks for character diversity

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