GLAAD Reports Decline in LGBTQ+ Representation in Film

GLAAD has published its yearly report on LGBTQ+ representation in film and television, and the findings aren’t encouraging. For the third consecutive year, gay visibility in Hollywood has diminished.

The 14th annual report reveals that as the entertainment landscape evolves, LGBTQ+ characters are among those most affected. The review assessed movies from ten major studios over the past year, including A24, Amazon, Apple TV, Lionsgate, NBCUniversal, Netflix, Paramount, Sony, Disney, and Warner Bros.

Out of 225 films released last year, only 46—which is about 20.4%—included LGBTQ+ characters. This marks a notable drop from 2024, where approximately 23.6% of films showcased queer identities. The trend of decreased representation continued from 2023’s figure of 28.5%, according to GLAAD.

Further concerning is the complete absence of gay characters in major animated projects in 2025. The report highlighted that all 19 family-friendly films rated PG or lower opted not to include gay representation. Additionally, there was a dip in the percentage of bisexual characters from 25% in 2024 to 22% last year, and no transgender characters were found in the 225 movies reviewed for 2025.

On a more positive note, GLAAD commended the horror genre for its ongoing inclusion of LGBTQ+ characters in films such as “Know What You Did Last Summer,” “Parenting,” “Buddies,” and “Weapons.” The group mentioned that lower-budget films, particularly those costing under $15 million, also tend to be more inclusive of LGBTQ+ narratives.

GLAAD raised a cautionary flag about the industry’s potential to lose viewers if representation doesn’t improve. Sarah Kate Ellis, the president and CEO of GLAAD, remarked on the importance of prioritizing films that reflect LGBTQ+ characters. She emphasized that neglecting this could alienate a generation of audiences looking for entertainment that resonates with their experiences.

Megan Townsend, GLAAD’s senior director of entertainment research and analysis, added that with Gen Z making up the majority of moviegoers, the film industry stands to lose a significant market if it continues to overlook LGBTQ+ representation. She emphasized that studios aiming to engage younger audiences can’t afford to disregard nearly a quarter of their core ticket buyers.