By Eliza Daniek and Valerie Milano
West Hollywood, CA (The Hollywood Times) 9/19/24 – On September 17th, GLAAD hosted its 12th Annual Studio Responsibility Index (SRI) event at The London West Hollywood, providing a critical analysis of LGBTQ+ representation in 2023’s film releases. The report evaluated films from major studios, including A24, Netflix, Warner Bros., Discovery, and Disney. While the overall racial diversity of LGBTQ+ characters showed some improvement, representation for Black LGBTQ+ individuals remained stagnant, and notably, there were no LGBTQ+ Indigenous characters. These findings underscore significant gaps in inclusivity that demand immediate attention.
This year, GLAAD counted 170 LGBTQ characters across 70 inclusive films—a stark decrease of 122 characters compared to the previous year. During the event, GLAAD President & CEO Sarah Kate Ellis emphasized the importance of enhancing and diversifying LGBTQ+ representation in film, especially as the 2024 presidential election approaches. She highlighted that less than 30% of American adults report knowing a transgender person, coinciding with a surge in anti-LGBTQ+ legislation targeting trans youth.
Ellis articulated the critical role media representation plays in shaping public perception and countering harmful policies. “Representation matters now more than ever,” she said, calling on studios to take actionable steps toward inclusivity.
The event, hosted by actress Sherry Cola, featured a comprehensive presentation by Ellis and GLAAD’s Senior Director of Entertainment Research & Analysis, Megan Townsend. They broke down the report’s findings and urged industry leaders to prioritize LGBTQ+ inclusivity in their projects.
Following the presentation, attendees mingled during a lively reception, enjoying small bites and an open bar, fostering discussions among industry leaders and advocates for change.
The evening highlighted the urgent need for studios to amplify LGBTQ+ voices, particularly from Black, Indigenous, and other underrepresented communities, as the country faces a pivotal political moment. The call for inclusivity is clear: the film industry must rise to the challenge and ensure that more LGBTQ+ stories are told and represented on screen.
