GLAAD's 2026 Film Study: LGBTQ Representation in Hollywood

What Surprised Raina Most About This Year's Report?

While GLAAD expected some declines, Raina said the scope of them was surprising.

Representation decreased across multiple categories simultaneously, including LGBTQ characters overall, LGBTQ characters of color, and transgender representation.

"It was seeing all of those declines happen at once that really stood out."

Still, she emphasized that the industry has made meaningful progress since the report first launched more than a decade ago—even if recent years have shown concerning setbacks.

What GLAAD's Latest Film Study Says About LGBTQ Representation in Hollywood

We sat down with Raina Deerwater, lead author and researcher behind GLAAD's 2026 Where We Are in Film study, to talk about the current state of LGBTQ representation in Hollywood. We discussed this year's biggest findings, why representation has declined, how GLAAD evaluates films, and what gives her hope for the future.

Below are highlights from our conversation. Be sure to watch or listen to the full interview at the top of this article.

Why Does GLAAD Measure Representation Every Year?

Big Gay Energy: Why is it important to release this report every year instead of simply celebrating individual successes?

Raina: We often say, "You can't move what you don't measure."

A single successful LGBTQ film can create the impression that Hollywood has solved representation, but the data tells a much more complete story. Tracking these numbers year after year helps identify long-term trends, highlight gaps, and give studios concrete evidence about where opportunities still exist.

The report isn't just about accountability—it's also about showing studios that there's a significant audience eager for these stories.

Why Did GLAAD Change Its Methodology This Year?

One of the biggest updates in this year's report is that GLAAD no longer measures characters primarily by screen time.

Instead, the study now focuses on narrative significance.

As Raina explained, a character can appear on screen frequently while contributing very little to the actual story. By categorizing characters as leads, significant supporting, supporting, or background characters, the report better reflects whether LGBTQ characters actually matter to the narrative.

"It's not enough to simply include queer characters," she said. "We want to know whether they're driving the story."

Why Does Explicit Representation Matter?

One of the most thoughtful parts of our conversation centered around why explicit LGBTQ representation is still so important.

According to Raina, representation serves two equally important audiences.

For LGBTQ viewers, seeing authentic characters on screen can provide validation, comfort, and hope, especially during times when anti-LGBTQ rhetoric dominates headlines.

For audiences outside the community, those same stories help replace misinformation with familiarity.

"If someone doesn't know a queer or trans person in real life," Raina explained, "media may be the closest connection they have."

Entertainment can't solve prejudice on its own, but it remains one of the most powerful tools for helping people understand experiences different from their own.

Is More Representation Always Better?

Not necessarily.

Raina believes quantity and quality need to go hand in hand.

"It's not enough to have more LGBTQ characters if they're all stereotypes or exist only to be killed off," she said.

At the same time, representation shouldn't be limited to prestige dramas or awards contenders.

Queer characters deserve to exist across every genre—from romantic comedies and horror films to action blockbusters, family movies, and even "B movies."

The goal is simple: let LGBTQ characters exist as fully realized people in every type of story.

What Is the Vito Russo Test?

Inspired by the Bechdel Test, the Vito Russo Test evaluates whether LGBTQ representation is meaningful rather than superficial.

To pass, a film must:

• Include an identifiable LGBTQ character.

• Give that character a personality beyond their identity.

• Make them important enough that removing them would significantly change the story.

• Avoid relying on harmful stereotypes or offensive portrayals.

"It's a starting point," Raina explained—not the finish line.

What Gives Her Hope?

Despite the report's findings, Raina remains optimistic.

Much of that optimism comes from the creators she meets through GLAAD's work.

"There are so many incredible LGBTQ creatives making amazing work," she said.

Whether those stories come from traditional studios or independent filmmakers, she believes queer artists will continue creating meaningful stories.

"The artists aren't going to stop."

Advice for Writers Creating LGBTQ Characters

Raina's biggest piece of advice was surprisingly simple:

"Create an interesting character first."

She encourages writers to give queer characters the same depth, flaws, ambitions, and complexity as everyone else.

Not every LGBTQ story has to revolve around coming out or identity. Characters can experience friendship, career struggles, romance, adventure, or heartbreak while simply existing as queer people.

That's what authentic representation looks like.

Watch or Listen to the Full Conversation

This article only scratches the surface of our discussion with Raina Deerwater.

In the full interview, we also talk about:

• The biggest findings from GLAAD's 2026 Where We Are in Film study

• Which studios are making progress

• The future of LGBTQ storytelling in Hollywood

• Raina's favorite queer films

• And much more.

🎥 Watch the full interview on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/yg2Mqfp08qQ

🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts: https://open.spotify.com/episode/67A3HfSNiKxE1zKVgSZHiI?si=aXUdXCMOTXq1F1E_X8Hwmg

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