The "Where We Are on TV" report by the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) shows that 4.4 percent of all characters on broadcast scripted programs during the 2012-13 season will be gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered. That's an increase from 2.9 percent in 2011, 3.9 percent in 2010, 3 percent in 2009, 2.6 percent in 2008 and 1.1 percent in 2007. All total, 48 characters on scripted programming are LGBT, GLAAD said.
"This year's increase of LGBT characters on television reflects a cultural change in the way gay and lesbian people are seen in our society," GLAAD president Herndon Graddick said in the report.
ABC leads the way with 5.2 percent of its characters identifying as gay on programs "Grey's Anatomy," "Revenge," "Scandal," "Mistresses," "Happy Endings," "Malibu Country," "Suburgatory," "The Middle" and "Modern Family."
Fox is second in the number of gay characters (5.1 percent) on programs "Bones," "American Dad," "Glee," "The Cleveland Show" and "The Simpsons."
The CW is in third place (4.9 percent) with programs "Emily Owens, M.D.," "The L.A. Complex" and "The Carrie Diaries."
Fourth-place NBC (4.2 percent) has gay characters on "Chicago Fire," "Smash," "Go On," "The New Normal" and "The Office."
CBS (2.8 percent), in fifth place, has gay characters on "The Good Wife," "Partners," "Two and a Half Men" and "Rules of Engagement."
Compiled by Michael Foust, associate editor of Baptist Press. Get Baptist Press headlines and breaking news on Twitter (@BaptistPress), Facebook (Facebook.com/BaptistPress ) and in your email ( baptistpress.com/SubscribeBP.asp).
Copyright (c) 2012 Southern Baptist Convention, Baptist Press www.BPNews.net
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