In Hollywood, LGBTQ representation in movies is on the decline, according to the annual report by the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD). The study, which analyses movies released last year, reveals a significant decline in LGBTQ characters on screen.
The research analysed 256 movies from 10 major distributors and streaming services, namely Netflix, Apple TV+, Lionsgate, NBCUniversal, Warner Bros Discovery, Disney, Sony, Amazon, Paramount Global and A24.
The findings reveal that only 70 movies, or 27.3%, featured an LGBTQ character, compared with 28.5% in 2022. This drop comes at a time when demand for diverse and inclusive representations is on the rise.
Among the 70 that featured LGBTQ representation, the study counted a total of 170 LGBTQ characters, down by 122 from the previous year. Of these, 46% were played by people of colour, or 78 onscreen actors and actresses.
This represents a 40% increase in one year – but it’s a feat not shared by transgender characters. According to GLAAD’s findings, only two transgender characters were present in two movies: “¡Que Viva Mexico!” by Luis Estrada and “Next Goal Wins” by Taïka Waititi.
The study, which previously counted 13 trans characters in 2022, also highlights the continuing presence of harmful stereotypes conveyed by cisgender actors.
“In Sony’s ‘¡Que viva México!,’ the lead’s trans sister, Jacinta, is subjected to mockery and transphobic dialogue, and even worse, she is played by a male cisgender actor, reinforcing the false and deadly narrative that trans women are simply men in dresses,” the report highlighted.
The study further highlights a fall in LGBTQ characters with disabilities, from 11 in 2022 to two in 2023. This under-representation is particularly worrying as it reflects a social reality where LGBTQ people with disabilities are often rendered invisible.
Men (56%) still represent the majority of the 170 LGBTQ characters, to the tune of 95 characters vs 67 for women (39%). Non-binary characters number just eight, or a mere 5%.
Bisexual characters were represented in 19 of the 70 LGBTQ-inclusive movies released last year, or 27%. While this is an increase on the 21% recorded in 2022, they represent just 15% of all LGBTQ characters.
“Though there is inconsistent progress on LGBTQ representation from major distributors year to year, recent films with LGBTQ leads prove that our stories can absolutely be both critical and commercial successes when they have the full support of the studio behind them,” GLAAD said in a statement.