The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) has released its most recent study on LGBTQ+ portrayal in cinema, revealing a third consecutive year of diminishing representation for LGBTQ+-inclusive films.
According to GLAAD's findings, 2023 saw a peak in representation with 28.5% of films—100 out of 350 released in 2022—featuring LGBTQ+ characters. This figure then dipped to 27.3% for films released in 2023, before a more substantial fall to 23.6% for 2024 releases. The trend continued into 2025, with representation dropping further to just 20.4%, equating to 46 out of 225 films. Notably, the report identified a complete absence of transgender characters across both theatrical and streaming releases in 2025.
Concerns for Younger Viewers and Industry Trends
The report also highlighted a particularly troubling statistic regarding animated and family-oriented films rated PG and below. Out of 19 such productions analyzed, none featured LGBTQ+ characters. This stands in stark contrast to the previous year, which saw two inclusive films out of 26 in the same category. GLAAD labeled this specific finding as "particularly concerning," especially in light of a public inquiry by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) under the current administration. This inquiry explores the potential creation of new television ratings that would apply warning labels to programming featuring transgender and nonbinary characters.
Sarah Kate Ellis, President & CEO of GLAAD, remarked on the audience demand for diverse narratives. "Audiences across the board are seeking out original and inclusive stories," Ellis stated. She further emphasized the commercial and critical viability of LGBTQ+ stories, citing that "every theatrically released LGBTQ-inclusive horror film made back over double the film’s production budget." Ellis cautioned that if the entertainment industry does not prioritize investment in films with LGBTQ+ characters, it risks alienating "a generation that will go elsewhere to find entertainment that does include our community."
Success Stories and Demographic Imperatives
Despite the overall decline, GLAAD acknowledged certain "success stories" in 2025, particularly within the horror genre. Films such as "I Know What You Did Last Summer," "The Parenting," "Companions," and "Weapons" were noted. The organization’s analysis indicated that all horror films featuring LGBTQ+ characters, for which production budget information was publicly available, more than doubled their initial budgets upon theatrical release.
The report also underscored that independent studios and films with mid-range budgets continue to be primary drivers of LGBTQ+ representation, outperforming large-budget productions in this regard.
Megan Townsend, GLAAD Senior Director of Entertainment Research & Analysis, emphasized the strategic importance of LGBTQ+ representation for engaging younger audiences. She pointed out that approximately 23% of Americans under the age of 30 identify as LGBTQ+. "If studios want to stay relevant with younger audiences and bring in box office dollars, they can’t afford to ignore nearly one-quarter of their most enthusiastic ticket buyers," Townsend asserted.
Differing Perspectives and Broader Context
Offering an alternative viewpoint, D'Agostino suggested a different interpretation of the findings.
"For anyone who actually likes movies, this is a positive sign. It means fewer filmmakers feel pressured to shoehorn gay characters into their scripts to appease the likes of GLAAD. If far-left activist groups are struggling to force artists to comply with their demands, that's categorically a win for the art consumers."
The GLAAD report's trajectory aligns with a recent Gallup poll, released last month, which indicated a decrease in public support for same-sex marriage and gay relationships. Gallup's findings showed that moral acceptance of gay and lesbian relationships fell to 62%, marking the lowest percentage recorded since 2016.
