Not a Good Time to Be an LGBTQ+ Character: Almost Half Canceled, GLAAD Finds “A Dangerous Precedent”

GLAAD has released the 20th anniversary edition of its Where We Are on TV report, and the findings show that LGBTQ+ representation on television is facing a challenging moment. According to the report, the number of LGBTQ+ characters across all platforms has slightly increased from 468 in 2024 to 489 in 2025.

However, that small growth comes with a major setback. More than 200 of those characters, or 41%, will not return due to canceled shows, series endings, or limited-run formats. An additional 96 characters, around 20%, are on shows that have not yet been renewed, leaving their futures uncertain.

The report notes a troubling trend for trans-inclusive characters. Several series featuring trans characters, including 9-1-1: Lone Star, Kaos, and Clean Slate, have ended. While the number of trans-inclusive characters rose slightly from 24 to 33, only four of them appear on renewed series.

“Television is a powerful medium, because these characters grow and evolve over the years, alongside the audience,” the report states. “When so many series are only being greenlit for short runs and the seasons themselves are getting shorter, the potential larger impact of these characters disappears. Less than half of the LGBTQ characters counted appear on renewed series, and with their loss comes a loss of possibility for impact that continues for years with an audience, creating social change.”

This year, several shows with important LGBTQ+ representation, such as HBO Max’s And Just Like That…, Prime Video’s Harlem, Hulu’s Mid-Century Modern, and Netflix’s Heartstopper, have ended or are coming to an end. GLAAD emphasizes that these series are critical for showing the diversity of the LGBTQ+ community and providing authentic representation.

The report comes at a time when Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs have faced cuts at multiple major studios, raising concerns about the future of inclusive storytelling on television.

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