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GLAAD’s latest report shows Hollywood cutting queer stories whilst demand soars.
Television is erasing queer characters. GLAAD’s ‘Where We Are on TV’ report counted 369 LGBTQ+ characters for 2025–2026. That figure falls 120 short of last year’s 489, a drop of 25%. Trans representation fares worst. Just seven trans characters remain, down from 33, and none will return. Furthermore, 141 characters will not come back at all. Characters of colour also fall to 44%, an eight-year low.
However, audiences want more. ‘Heated Rivalry’ became HBO Max’s most-watched acquired scripted series. ‘The Hunting Wives’ topped the Netflix charts and earned two more seasons. Meanwhile, ‘Stranger Things’ and Hazbin Hotel led demand.
GLAAD’s Sarah Kate Ellis calls the cuts ‘a bad business decision’. Nick Adams says ‘TV executives have turned away’ whilst politicians attack trans rights. The message is clear. Representation drives growth. Networks that ignore it risk losing viewers. Hollywood must act now. The data leaves no room for excuses.
