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Which Network Gets the Top Score for LGBT Inclusion?
By Yoji Cole
August 06, 2007
The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) released its first Network Responsibility Index today, which grades television networks on their shows' representation of LGBT people.
The index examined 4,693 hours of primetime programming aired on the five major networks--ABC, CBS, The CW, FOX and NBC--for 12 months, reviewing each primetime hour for any on-screen major or minor LGBT representations.
Each network was assigned a grade of excellent, good, fair or failing for the overall quantity, quality and diversity of LGBT representation.
While no network received an "excellent" grade, ABC led all networks with a "good" grade. Of ABC's programming, 15 percent of its primetime hours included LGBT representations. The CW came in second with a "fair" grade for its 12 percent of primetime hours that included LGBT representation. CBS also received a "fair" grade, but only 9 percent of its primetime shows featured LGBTs. NBC also received a "fair" grade but came in fourth because only 7 percent of its primetime shows featured LGBTs, while FOX got a "failing" grade because only 6 percent of its primetime shows featured LGBTs.
"While we have made great strides in the 10 years since Ellen DeGeneres came out on television, this report shows where work still needs to be done and which networks are failing to represent millions of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender viewers," says GLAAD President Neil G. Giuliano. "The airwaves quite literally belong to each and every one of us, and, as such, networks have an obligation to reflect the faces and stories of their viewers."
ABC topped all networks with shows such as "Brothers & Sisters" and "Ugly Betty," both of which feature LGBT characters. GLAAD sent copies of its Network Responsibility Index to programming executives at the five networks. The organization hopes to sit with network executives to discuss methods to improve on-air representation of LGBT people.
"We know that seeing multi-dimensional, diverse people represented on television changes public perception," says GLAAD Entertainment Media Director Damon Romine, editor of the report. "Millions of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans fight every day for equality and for the right to live their lives without fear of discrimination and violence. True equality will be in our grasp when network television presents our stories in a fair, accurate and inclusive way."
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