GLAAD index names best and worst in LGBT friendly broadcasting
The sixth annual Network Responsibility Index has been published by the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, and includes details of networks and shows which have accurately reflected, or not, the LGBT community through their broadcasting.
The NRI reported that no network achieved a rating of “Excellent”, but that 46 per cent of the Showtime cable network’s programming was LGBT inclusive.
Of the broadcasting networks, CW held the top spot with 29 per cent LGBT friendly programming, ABC improved four per cent, whilst Fox dropped five, meaning the two swapped over on the second and third spots. CBS stayed on the bottom spot, and had also dropped two per cent.
According to GLAAD, the Network Responsibility Index is: “an evaluation of the quantity and quality of images of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people during the 2011-2012 television season.”
“The report is intended to serve as a road map toward increasing fair, accurate, and inclusive LGBT media representations.”
It also says that: “images of multi-dimensional gay and transgender people on television have the power to change publish perceptions.”
As a whole, the report describes that representation of the trans community was “lacking”, especially in the visual portrayal of trans character. Racial diversity was another area in which the report said there was room for improvement, because 66 per cent of LGBT-inclusive broadcasting was focussed on caucasians.
