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Monday September 24, 2007 3:16 pm

Is Network TV Avoiding Gay Issues?

ABC LogoA new report shows that seven stories on the five broadcast networks currently feature lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender characters this fall season. Last season, there were nine. According to a study by the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, the number has been steadily dropping for the past three years. Caitlin Down (played by Bonnie Somerville) on ABC’s Cashmere Mafia, which won’t even premiere until December, is the only non-heterosexual regular character to appear on a new show this year. According to the study, ABC features more non-heterosexual characters than any other broadcast network. Shows like Brothers & Sisters, Ugly Betty,  Desperate Housewives, and the new Cashmere Mafia all feature non-heterosexual characters. NBC’s The Office features one character to fit the gay and lesbian mold. The report shows that, currently, CBS and the CW have no non-heterosexual characters on any of their shows, but CBS does include gay and lesbian contestants on their reality shows. In sharp contrast, gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender representation on cable is going through the roof, with 57 characters this year alone.

Read More | MSNBC

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