MILITARY MONDAY

Study: Gay characters' television presence reduced in upcoming season



Nine homosexual characters are depicted in network-TV series scheduled for the 2006-07 season, a decrease from last year's 10, the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation said Monday.

Out of 679 series lead or supporting characters on the six major U.S. broadcast networks in the new season, roughly 1.3 per cent are gay, lesbian or bisexual, according to the group's annual study. The figure last year was 1.4 per cent.

GLAAD analyzed the 95 prime-time comedies and dramas announced by ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, CW and MyNetworkTV.

While the year-to-year numbers are relatively consistent, the prominence of the roles has been diminished, GLAAD found, with the exit of shows like Will & Grace, Out of Practice and Crumbs.

The nine gay or lesbian characters appear on eight different series.

New series GLAAD counted as "inclusive" include comedies Help Me Help You (ABC) and The Class (CBS), and dramas Brothers & Sisters (ABC), weeknight telenovela Fashion House (MyNetworkTV), and CW midseason entry Hidden Palms. These join returning comedies Desperate Housewives (ABC) and The Office (NBC), as well as the drama ER (NBC).

The five series with recurring gay, lesbian or bisexual characters include the new comedies Ugly Betty and midseason arrival Big Day (both ABC). These join returning comedies The Simpsons and The War at Home (both Fox), and the drama Grey's Anatomy (ABC), the study found.

"It's clear that the broadcast networks have a long way to go before they accurately reflect the diversity of their audience and our society," said GLAAD president Neil Giuliano.