LGBTQ+

GLAAD

Who we are

What we do

$2.2B
Data compiled in the three most recent editions of GLAAD's Studio Responsibility Index show that titles on which GLAAD consulted generated over $2.2 Billion at the global office and racked up nearly 35 Billion minutes watched on streaming and linear channels in the U.S. as of May 2025.
+68%
Films GLAAD consulted on directly garnered significantly higher watch time than the films GLAAD solely provided promotional efforts for, a 68% increase or 1.7 times higher watch time, by comparison.
93% and 85%
Actively seek out queer media, proving the universal appeal of LGBTQ stories.
84M
Say they are actually more likely to watch a TV show if at least one of the characters is LGBTQ.
78%
say they are “diehard fans” of something compared to 67% of non-LGBTQ Americans.
86%
have purchased merchandise for something they are a fan of; spending on average nearly $200 on merchandise in the past year. When young LGBTQ+ people are fans, they spend.

Reach out to GLAAD. We can identify potential landmines and opportunities, equipping the creative team to make best informed business and representational decisions at all points of the creative process, development, production, and release.

Don't Plan a marketing and PR strategy after production. Build it into the life span of your project. Consider all the key decisions in the making of the project that will later impact the marketing in positive or negative ways.

Hire LGBTQ cast and crew to write, direct and star in stories. Stories about LGBTQ people are better told with and by us. EXTRA: Authenticity sells, and wins over audiences and critics. The Center for Scholars & Storytellers produces data that backs this up in relation to Box Office success.

Don't Risk a negative reaction to your project because it does not include talent–above and below the line–who reflect the onscreen LGBTQ representation.

Watch “Disclosure” on Netflix early in the creative process. This documentary is a useful primer on transgender stories that have shifted culture and the consequences of misrepresentation.

Don't cast people who are not transgender to play transgender characters. “Disclosure” will illustrate how and why this practice of miscasting is widely considered irresponsible, offensive, and outdated.

Consult the list of GLAAD Media Awards nominees to see a slate of outstanding LGBTQ storytelling in TV, films, podcasts, video games, music, journalism, and other media verticals for the most current representation economy. EXTRA: The GLAAD List highlights stories ripe for acquisition that hired readers have evaluated on the quality of story and LGBTQ representation.

Identify and represent the intersectionality of LGBTQ people. What’s their class, race, ethnicity, religion, country of origin? What is their gender (e.g., transgender woman, cisgender man, nonbinary person)? What is their sexual orientation (e.g., lesbian, gay, bisexual, straight, queer)? Do they have a disability? Are they living HIV-positive and receiving treatment? How do these characteristics shape how the characters move through the world? EXTRA: Get familiar with the Vito Russo Test to determine how GLAAD measures the quality and quantity of LGBTQ representation.