Gay characters at record high on U.S. television

By: American Decency Staff

New shows "The New Normal," "Girls" and comedy "Go On" have helped U.S. television rack up a record number of gay, bisexual and transgender characters, gay rights group GLAAD said on Friday.

In its 8th annual report tracking gender and ethnic diversity on television, the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) said on Friday there will be 111 LGBT characters in regular or recurring roles on scripted shows across U.S. television.

Inclusive TV shows now range from crime and medical series like "Grey's Anatomy", to long-running teen dramas like Canada's "Degrassi" on Teennick and British period favorite "Downton Abbey" with its duplicitous gay butler Thomas Barrow.

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