The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation released its inaugural Network Responsibility Index, a first-of-its-kind report that maps the quantity, quality and diversity of images of LGBT people on network television. ABC, with shows like "Brothers & Sisters" and "Ugly Betty," received the highest ranking of the five networks. NBC, once home to "Will & Grace," ranked fourth, and FOX scored lowest.
"While we have made great strides in the ten years since Ellen DeGeneres came out on television," said GLAAD President Neil G. Giuliano, "this report shows where work still needs to be done and which networks are failing to represent millions of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender viewers. The airwaves quite literally belong to each and every one of us, and, as such, networks have an obligation to reflect the faces and stories of their viewers."
GLAAD examined all primetime programming — 4,693 hours — on the five major networks (ABC, CBS, The CW, FOX, and NBC) from June 1, 2006 to May 31, 2007. Each hour was reviewed for any on-screen major or minor LGBT representations. Based on the overall quantity, quality and diversity of these representations, a grade – excellent, good, fair or failing – was assigned to each network.
ABC was rated "good" and led the networks with 15 percent of its primetime programming hours inclusive of LGBT representations. The CW rated "fair" with 12 percent of its programming hours named LGBT inclusive. CBS received a "fair" for its 9 percent of LGBT-inclusive programming hours. NBC was given a "fair" for its 7 percent. And FOX received a "failing" grade for its 6 percent of LGBT-inclusive programming hours.
"We know that seeing multi-dimensional, diverse people represented on television changes public perception," said GLAAD Entertainment Media Director Damon Romine, editor of the report. "Millions of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans fight every day for equality and for the right to live their lives without fear of discrimination and violence. True equality will be in our grasp when network television presents our stories in a fair, accurate and inclusive way."
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