LGBT representation in Hollywood has somehow got even worse

LGBT representation in major studio releases decreased significantly in 2017, according to a major new report.

GLAAD, an LGBT media advocacy organisation, has released its sixth annual Studio Responsibility Index, which records the number of LGBT people featuring in films released by the seven biggest motion picture studios.

In the report, the group highlighted that box office successes such as Black Panther and Wonder Woman have proven that representing minority groups is not only important but viable, and more needs to be done to include LGBT people.

GLAAD chief executive Sarah Kate Ellis said: “At a time when the entertainment industry is holding much-needed discussions about inclusion, now is the time to ensure the industry takes meaningful action and incorporates LGBTQ stories and creators as among priorities areas for growing diversity.”

(God’s Own Country)

According to the research, in 2017 only 14 major studio releases had LGBTQ characters, making up only 12.8 percent of films.

This is a 5.6 percent decrease within one year, as LGBT characters were included in 18.4 percent of major films released in 2016.

GLAAD counted only 28 explicitly LGBT characters represented in major films released in 2017, a decrease from 70 characters in 2016 and 47 in 2015.

This means that the films of 2017 represent a tie for the lowest number of LGBT inclusive films since GLAAD began to track LGBT representation in 2012.

(The Handmaiden)

None of the seven major studios ranked by the report were given an “excellent” or “good” rating.

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