Story perspectives

GLAAD: Only 46 Films Feature LGBTQ Characters, 24% Drop.

7/10/2026

Summary

GLAAD Reports Decline

GLAAD found only 46 of 225 studio films this year included an LGBTQ+ character, a 23.6% drop from 2024.
The study counted 112 LGBTQ characters—59 women, 46 men, seven nonbinary and 35 lesbians—but no transgender character.
Horror film “I Know What You Did Last Summer” earned over twice its budget, showing profit despite low representation.
GLAAD CEO Sarah Kate Ellis urged studios to invest in LGBTQ stories, citing market growth.

Summary

FCC Proposes Labels

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has proposed warning labels for children’s content that includes trans or nonbinary characters.
An MRI-Simmons poll shows 62 percent of Americans would allow their kids to watch age-appropriate TV shows and films featuring LGBTQ+ characters.
GLAAD’s updated methodology classifies characters by narrative significance and applies the Vito Russo test to gauge three-dimensionality across the top ten studios.

Summary

Industry Reports Decline

Scripts have become films—Anything’s Possible (Amazon MGM), Three Months (Paramount), Knock at the Cabin (Universal) and Before I Change My Mind (Epic Pictures).
Club Kid (A24), Leviticus (NEON), I Want Your Sex (Magnolia Pictures) and Lunar Sway (TLA Releasing/Optimale Distribution) sold at festivals.
Characters of color comprised 34 (30%) of 112 LGBTQ roles, down from 36%, and zero LGBTQ representation in 19 family films, down from two titles (8%).

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GLAAD Reports Decline

GLAAD found only 46 of 225 studio films this year included an LGBTQ+ character, a 23.6% drop from 2024.
The study counted 112 LGBTQ characters—59 women, 46 men, seven nonbinary and 35 lesbians—but no transgender character.
Horror film “I Know What You Did Last Summer” earned over twice its budget, showing profit despite low representation.
GLAAD CEO Sarah Kate Ellis urged studios to invest in LGBTQ stories, citing market growth.

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