LOS ANGELES (AP) – Hollywood films remained static in their inclusiveness of LGBT characters in 2015, but the racial diversity of those characters fell dramatically, according to the findings of GLAAD’s annual study.
In a survey released Monday by the advocacy group, 17.5 percent of last year’s films from the seven major studios contained characters who were lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender.
Though unchanged in total percentage from last year, the racial diversity of the LGBT characters has plummeted. Last year, 32.1 percent of the LGBT characters portrayed in the 126 films were people of color. This year, it’s down to 25.5 percent.
The revelation comes at a time of increased scrutiny around the inclusion of people of color in Hollywood films, following a second year of all-white Oscar nominees in the acting categories and a damning USC report about the “whitewashed” industry.
Many times, too, the LGBT characters are used solely as a punchline targets, said GLAAD’s President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis.