LGBTQ+ inclusion in film reaches three-year low, Glaad survey reveals

LGBTQ+ inclusion in film has declined to a three-year low, according to a report published by the advocacy group Glaad on Tuesday. The survey found that only 46 out of 225 films released in 2025 featured LGBTQ+ characters, accounting for just 20.4% of the total films. This marks a significant decrease from the 28.5% recorded in Glaad's 2023 study, indicating a troubling trend in representation.

Decline in LGBTQ+ Representation

The Glaad report highlights a concerning trend of diminishing representation for LGBTQ+ individuals, particularly among queer people of color. The study emphasizes that this decrease is particularly alarming given the current cultural climate where LGBTQ+ rights are under scrutiny and attack. Glaad’s president and CEO, Sarah Kate Ellis, stated, “If the industry doesn’t prioritize investing in films with LGBTQ characters, it risks losing a generation that will go elsewhere to find entertainment that does include our community.”

Despite the overall decline, mid-budget films have shown some progress in LGBTQ+ representation. Titles such as Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, After the Hunt, and I Know What You Did Last Summer received praise for their inclusivity, while horror films like The Parenting, Companion, and Weapons also featured queer characters and performed well at the box office.

Challenges for Trans Representation

Trans representation in film remains critically low, with Glaad's report indicating that there were zero trans characters in the 2025 films surveyed. The report states, “The misrepresentation and exclusion of transgender characters and stories in entertainment... is unconscionable.” This absence of trans narratives is particularly concerning as politicians and anti-LGBTQ activists continue to target the trans community through misinformation and legislation.

Glaad's analysis focused on the 10 largest film distributors, including Sony Pictures Entertainment, The Walt Disney Company, Netflix, and A24. However, the report also acknowledged smaller companies that are producing significant LGBTQ-inclusive films, such as Mubi with The History of Sound and Mother Father Sister Brother, Bleecker Street with The Wedding Banquet, Magnolia Pictures with Plainclothes, and Blue Harbor Entertainment with A Nice Indian Boy.

Impact on Future Film Audiences

As the film industry grapples with representation issues, Glaad's senior director of entertainment research and analysis, Megan Townsend, emphasized the importance of engaging with younger audiences. “Gen Z represents the largest share of moviegoers in North America,” Townsend noted. “Gen Z also has the highest percentage of people who say they are part of the LGBTQ community, with Gallup reporting that more than one in five (23%) of Americans under the age of 30 are LGBTQ.”

The report serves as a call to action for studios to prioritize LGBTQ+ representation to remain relevant and financially viable in an evolving entertainment landscape.