LGBTQ media advocacy group GLAAD recently published their first-ever Spanish-language media report on Thursday--and representation is not looking too good.
The report, titled Nearly Invisible, analyzed LGBTQ character representation in primetime scripted television airing in the U.S. from July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2016. Of the 516 characters examined, only 14--three percent--were LGBTQ. Out of the 14, 10 of these characters were gay men, two were bisexual women, one was a lesbian, and one was a straight transgender woman.
No trans men, bisexual men, or LGBTQ persons of disabilities were portrayed. GLAAD also found that only four of the LGBTQ characters were "given plotlines that allowed them to explore a range of emotions, experiences, and actions that centered on their own lives."
GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis said this of the report:
"Nearly Invisible is a critical step in identifying the current climate for LGBTQ representation in Spanish-language programming. With our nation's Spanish-speaking and immigrant communities under attack like never before, it's more important than ever for the media to do its part to portray their lives and experiences--including those who are LGBTQ--authentically and honestly. GLAAD will continue to work with Spanish and English-language media to increase the number and quality of stories that accelerate acceptance."
The report furthermore asserted that two of the 15 characters of African descent portrayed were gay men and that only one character was of indigenous descent.
Nearly Invisible follows GLAAD's Where We Are On TV report, which found that while LGBTQ characters overall have increased on both cable and online-streaming television, queer women in particular are still underrepresented.
