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Friday, September 15, 2023
LGBTQ Representation Hits Record in Film, GLAAD Study Finds
The Hollywood Reporter: GLAAD has released the 11th installment of its Studio Responsibility Index, an annual study that tracks “the quantity, quality and diversity” of LGBTQ characters in films released in a calendar year by 10 Hollywood distributors.
9 comments:
Julia Adilman
said...
I had no idea that there was an organization that tracked the amount of LGBTQ representation there is in Hollywood. It makes perfect sense that there is an organization that does this because I do believe that representation is very important. I think it is awful that the highest recorded number of LGBTQ representation is 28.5 percent. I thought that it would be much higher. I’m shocked that it is not even close to 50 percent yet. I think it’s also really sad that the majority of the LGBTQ characters did not get very much screen time. I’m glad that there was a meeting held to discuss this issue because I truly think that it is imperative for studios to continue to have more queer representation in their films. I have not thought about the fact that these efforts to fix this may be hindered by the strike. I’m glad that people are working towards trying to make a fair deal with AMPTP.
What is really interesting about this is that I have seen this come into effect now that I Have actually thought about it. In Fact I am pretty sure that last year was the first year I have seen a rom-com where the “gay” character wasn’t thrown in for comedic relief as the female leads a funny but loveable best friend. To hear that 28.5 percent of movies in 2022 featured not just an LGBTQ character but actual LGBTQ actors being able to represent themselves in films and being able to play those characters at a record percentage is very exciting. I am also aware that the number of films this study has followed over the years has increased so the percentage of films for 2022 might be skewed from that and therefore might be a little off. But I do feel like I have seen a real difference in the last couple of years and I am excited to see how else we grow within the industry representing not just LGBTQ stories but how we have representation within them.
The recent GLAAD study highlights a significant milestone in LGBTQ+ representation in the film industry, with 28.5 percent of 2022 movies featuring LGBTQ characters, marking the highest figure in the history of this annual study. This achievement underscores the progress made in on-screen representation and is a testament to the industry's growing commitment to diversity. However, the report's call for film studios to "reach a fair deal or risk erasing gains made in representation" serves as a reminder that there is still work to be done. While the numbers show improvement, there remains a need for sustained and authentic LGBTQ+ representation in cinema, both in front of and behind the camera. This challenge to film studio leadership reflects the broader conversation about inclusivity, equal opportunities, and the responsibility of the entertainment industry to accurately reflect the diversity of our society. It signals a call to action for the industry to not only celebrate its achievements but also to continue pushing for equitable representation and support for LGBTQ+ voices in filmmaking.
I think it is very interesting to see the full breakdown of time and percent of LGBTQ+ characters and their screen time. While I feel like there are so many more films that have queer representation, and there are by comparison, but it is still only 28.5% of films that came out that year, and within that number only 33% of the characters in those films had more than 10 minutes of screentime. Which in my opinion, anything less than five minutes of screen time really feels like a movie putting in a queer character to say they have a queer character (though I guess it depends on the impact to the main storyline). I was also surprised that Disney was one of the top 3 studios, but happy to see that Better Nate Than Ever was featured as the lead of that movie goes to my highschool and he is very talented.
This study found that there have been significant steps in the right direction for the LGBTQIA+ community but of course, it is not enough. This LGBTQIA+ representation in film has reached what people are calling record-breaking levels and while this is true it is sad to be that it is still only 28.5%. With that said, this milestone signifies a momentous shift in the entertainment industry, as diverse narratives and characters from the LGBTQIA+ community take center stage like never before. The study highlights the industry's growing commitment to inclusivity and storytelling that reflects the rich tapestry of human experiences from all over the world. With a surge in films that authentically depict LGBTQIA+ characters and their stories, audiences are now offered a more comprehensive and accurate reflection of the world we live in. This achievement not only celebrates the progress made but also underscores the importance of continued efforts to promote diversity and inclusivity in cinema, ensuring that these records become the new norm in the ever-evolving landscape of film and storytelling. Representation matters.
The surge in LGBTQ representation in films in 2022, with a record-high 28.5 percent featuring LGBTQ characters, is undoubtedly a significant achievement for diversity and inclusion in the film industry. This milestone reflects a growing commitment to telling diverse stories and accurately portraying the LGBTQ community's experiences.However, it's crucial to recognize that while progress has been made, challenges persist. The cautionary note from GLAAD and Hollywood labor unions underscores the need for sustained efforts in promoting LGBTQ representation. Film studios must continue to prioritize authentic storytelling and diverse casting to avoid erasing the hard-earned gains.This situation highlights a broader issue in the entertainment industry, where diversity and representation are on the rise, but there's still a long way to go in achieving equity and inclusion. It serves as a reminder that progress should not be taken for granted, and active steps must be taken to ensure that LGBTQ voices and stories continue to be heard and respected in the world of cinema.
It is nice to hear that representation for the LGBTQ community is ever-increasing in media. However, when looking at the films and TV shows I have consumed involving LGBTQ themes, it is difficult not to see two specific stereotypes. The first is, the gay best friend. This is something that has always been seen in media, even if not explicitly stated that the character is gay. A funny witty typically male side best friend whose primary purpose is comic relief. The second is, if the show does actually center on LGBTQ characters, the entire plot tends to be about them being gay. Yes, the struggle of coming out and coming to terms with sexuality is so important to be seen, especially for young queer folks grappling with that, however, I would like to see more movies, where the main character happens to be gay, if that makes sense. Media where gay people exist as normal people and not, purely to be gay.
I’m glad that the amount of LGBTQ representation is increasing; this being said, I found it disappointing that so much of this representation was when characters were on screen for five minutes or less. While 28.5 percent is definitely much higher than the representation that existed when I was a kid, I do hope that this number continues to increase. I also hope that in the future we get more characters that are a part of the LGBTQ communities, but whose queerness is not their entire personality. For example, I would love a queer rom com that doesn’t have some dramatic coming out scene. While coming out stories are also important, I believe having everyday queer stories told would help in normalizing our community. I also found it surprising that A24, NBC, and Disney were all ranked on the same level of “good”. Given A24’s repertoire, I see them being much more of a pioneer of LGBTQ representation in media. I’m curious if this metric was percentage based or calculated as a flat number as A24 is a much smaller studio than NBC and Disney.
I actually read this GLAAD study when it came out. I read it every year. With everything happening in the world surrounding LGBTQ+ rights. The attacks we’re facing in both the state and federal legislature it’s really awesome to see some good news. I also think it’s awesome that GLAAD partnered with SAG AFTRA and WGA, showing their solidarity with the strikes. The news wasn’t all good. According to the study the majority of queer characters only appeared on screen for less than 5 minutes. We’re seeing a rise in tokenism and not necessarily representation. Representation is really important for young queer people. It shows them that they are ok and worthy of love. This tokenism only young queer people that they’re only worthy of a fraction of the movie, only worthy of five minutes, only worthy if they can be cut out for international screenings, only worthy if they can check off the studio’s diversity box.
9 comments:
I had no idea that there was an organization that tracked the amount of LGBTQ representation there is in Hollywood. It makes perfect sense that there is an organization that does this because I do believe that representation is very important. I think it is awful that the highest recorded number of LGBTQ representation is 28.5 percent. I thought that it would be much higher. I’m shocked that it is not even close to 50 percent yet. I think it’s also really sad that the majority of the LGBTQ characters did not get very much screen time. I’m glad that there was a meeting held to discuss this issue because I truly think that it is imperative for studios to continue to have more queer representation in their films. I have not thought about the fact that these efforts to fix this may be hindered by the strike. I’m glad that people are working towards trying to make a fair deal with AMPTP.
What is really interesting about this is that I have seen this come into effect now that I Have actually thought about it. In Fact I am pretty sure that last year was the first year I have seen a rom-com where the “gay” character wasn’t thrown in for comedic relief as the female leads a funny but loveable best friend. To hear that 28.5 percent of movies in 2022 featured not just an LGBTQ character but actual LGBTQ actors being able to represent themselves in films and being able to play those characters at a record percentage is very exciting. I am also aware that the number of films this study has followed over the years has increased so the percentage of films for 2022 might be skewed from that and therefore might be a little off. But I do feel like I have seen a real difference in the last couple of years and I am excited to see how else we grow within the industry representing not just LGBTQ stories but how we have representation within them.
The recent GLAAD study highlights a significant milestone in LGBTQ+ representation in the film industry, with 28.5 percent of 2022 movies featuring LGBTQ characters, marking the highest figure in the history of this annual study. This achievement underscores the progress made in on-screen representation and is a testament to the industry's growing commitment to diversity. However, the report's call for film studios to "reach a fair deal or risk erasing gains made in representation" serves as a reminder that there is still work to be done. While the numbers show improvement, there remains a need for sustained and authentic LGBTQ+ representation in cinema, both in front of and behind the camera. This challenge to film studio leadership reflects the broader conversation about inclusivity, equal opportunities, and the responsibility of the entertainment industry to accurately reflect the diversity of our society. It signals a call to action for the industry to not only celebrate its achievements but also to continue pushing for equitable representation and support for LGBTQ+ voices in filmmaking.
I think it is very interesting to see the full breakdown of time and percent of LGBTQ+ characters and their screen time. While I feel like there are so many more films that have queer representation, and there are by comparison, but it is still only 28.5% of films that came out that year, and within that number only 33% of the characters in those films had more than 10 minutes of screentime. Which in my opinion, anything less than five minutes of screen time really feels like a movie putting in a queer character to say they have a queer character (though I guess it depends on the impact to the main storyline). I was also surprised that Disney was one of the top 3 studios, but happy to see that Better Nate Than Ever was featured as the lead of that movie goes to my highschool and he is very talented.
This study found that there have been significant steps in the right direction for the LGBTQIA+ community but of course, it is not enough. This LGBTQIA+ representation in film has reached what people are calling record-breaking levels and while this is true it is sad to be that it is still only 28.5%. With that said, this milestone signifies a momentous shift in the entertainment industry, as diverse narratives and characters from the LGBTQIA+ community take center stage like never before. The study highlights the industry's growing commitment to inclusivity and storytelling that reflects the rich tapestry of human experiences from all over the world. With a surge in films that authentically depict LGBTQIA+ characters and their stories, audiences are now offered a more comprehensive and accurate reflection of the world we live in. This achievement not only celebrates the progress made but also underscores the importance of continued efforts to promote diversity and inclusivity in cinema, ensuring that these records become the new norm in the ever-evolving landscape of film and storytelling. Representation matters.
The surge in LGBTQ representation in films in 2022, with a record-high 28.5 percent featuring LGBTQ characters, is undoubtedly a significant achievement for diversity and inclusion in the film industry. This milestone reflects a growing commitment to telling diverse stories and accurately portraying the LGBTQ community's experiences.However, it's crucial to recognize that while progress has been made, challenges persist. The cautionary note from GLAAD and Hollywood labor unions underscores the need for sustained efforts in promoting LGBTQ representation. Film studios must continue to prioritize authentic storytelling and diverse casting to avoid erasing the hard-earned gains.This situation highlights a broader issue in the entertainment industry, where diversity and representation are on the rise, but there's still a long way to go in achieving equity and inclusion. It serves as a reminder that progress should not be taken for granted, and active steps must be taken to ensure that LGBTQ voices and stories continue to be heard and respected in the world of cinema.
It is nice to hear that representation for the LGBTQ community is ever-increasing in media. However, when looking at the films and TV shows I have consumed involving LGBTQ themes, it is difficult not to see two specific stereotypes. The first is, the gay best friend. This is something that has always been seen in media, even if not explicitly stated that the character is gay. A funny witty typically male side best friend whose primary purpose is comic relief. The second is, if the show does actually center on LGBTQ characters, the entire plot tends to be about them being gay. Yes, the struggle of coming out and coming to terms with sexuality is so important to be seen, especially for young queer folks grappling with that, however, I would like to see more movies, where the main character happens to be gay, if that makes sense. Media where gay people exist as normal people and not, purely to be gay.
I’m glad that the amount of LGBTQ representation is increasing; this being said, I found it disappointing that so much of this representation was when characters were on screen for five minutes or less. While 28.5 percent is definitely much higher than the representation that existed when I was a kid, I do hope that this number continues to increase. I also hope that in the future we get more characters that are a part of the LGBTQ communities, but whose queerness is not their entire personality. For example, I would love a queer rom com that doesn’t have some dramatic coming out scene. While coming out stories are also important, I believe having everyday queer stories told would help in normalizing our community. I also found it surprising that A24, NBC, and Disney were all ranked on the same level of “good”. Given A24’s repertoire, I see them being much more of a pioneer of LGBTQ representation in media. I’m curious if this metric was percentage based or calculated as a flat number as A24 is a much smaller studio than NBC and Disney.
I actually read this GLAAD study when it came out. I read it every year. With everything happening in the world surrounding LGBTQ+ rights. The attacks we’re facing in both the state and federal legislature it’s really awesome to see some good news. I also think it’s awesome that GLAAD partnered with SAG AFTRA and WGA, showing their solidarity with the strikes. The news wasn’t all good. According to the study the majority of queer characters only appeared on screen for less than 5 minutes. We’re seeing a rise in tokenism and not necessarily representation. Representation is really important for young queer people. It shows them that they are ok and worthy of love. This tokenism only young queer people that they’re only worthy of a fraction of the movie, only worthy of five minutes, only worthy if they can be cut out for international screenings, only worthy if they can check off the studio’s diversity box.
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