Pat Saperstein Deputy Editor
GLAAD, the LGBTQ media advocacy organization, has released its 12th annual Studio Responsibility Index tracking films released during 2023. Despite “a huge increase in LGBTQ characters who were front and center in their own narratives,” the study found the number of films with LGBTQ characters dropped in 2023. The survey looked at 256 films from 10 major distributors and their subsidiaries and streaming services.
GLAAD says the index can serve as a guide for studios to identify priorities and opportunities to increase and improve fair, accurate and inclusive LGBTQ representation and storytelling. Key findings of the study included: The survey ranked the 10 distributors based on the quality, quantity and diversity of LGBTQ inclusion in addition to GLAAD’s Vito Russo Test, a set of criteria to analyze how characters are included in a film. Distributor ratings found A24 to be insufficient, while Amazon was good, Apple TV+ was failing, Lionsgate was insufficient, NBCUniversal and Netflix were fair, Paramount Global, Sony and Walt Disney Studios were insufficient, and Warner Bros.
Discovery was poor. GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis said in a statement, “Though there is inconsistent progress on LGBTQ representation from major distributors year to year, recent films with LGBTQ leads prove that our stories can absolutely be both critical and commercial successes – when they have the full support of the studio behind them. As the film production and distribution model continues to evolve, major distributors must deepen investment and intention in storytelling efforts to retain the attention of growing young diverse audiences, who crave stories that reflect their experience and their values.
film
Entertainment
lgbtq
Diversity
community
inclusion
Warner Bros
audience
Kate Ellis