The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) has released its annual Studio Responsibility Index which covers LGBTQ representation in major studio films and the conclusion is not good.

According to the report, GLAAD found that of the 118 films released from major studios in 2019, 22 (18.6%) included characters that were lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and/or queer (LGBTQ). This represents a slight increase from the previous year’s report (18.2%, 20 out of 110 films) and the highest percentage of inclusive films found in the eight-year history of the report.

However, while the number of LGBTQ characters have increased, the number of POC LGBTQ characters have reduced and transgender characters were not there at all.

“Film has the power to educate, enlighten, and entertain audiences around the world and, in today’s divisive political and cultural climate, we must prioritize telling LGBTQ stories and the stories of all marginalized people,” said GLAAD President and CEO, Sarah Kate Ellis. “Despite seeing a record-high percentage of LGBTQ-inclusive films this year, the industry still has a long way to go in terms of fairly and accurately representing the LGBTQ community. If film studios want to stay relevant to today’s audiences and compete in an industry that is emphasizing diversity and inclusion, then they must urgently reverse course on the diminishing representation of LGBTQ women and people of color, as well as the complete absence of trans characters.”

In 2018, GLAAD called on major film studios to ensure that at least 20 percent of all releases included LGBTQ characters and 50 percent by 2024. Four of the eight studios surveyed hit the goal for 2021 – Paramount Pictures, United Artists, Lionsgate, and Walt Disney Studios.

(Header image: A still from How To Get Away With Murder)