Half of LGBTQ Characters Cut Amid Trump-Era DEI Rollback

LGBTQ representation is being drastically scaled back on television amid a nationwide rollback of woke DEI policies and initiatives.

According to Deadline, around 41% of the 489 LGBTQ characters that were on the small screen this year will not return due to series cancellations and endings.

There’s also a chance that more queer characters could be slashed before the end of the year as additional cancellations are announced. 

According to a report by GLAAD, ‘a large and concerning number’ of trans-inclusive shows have ended, including Kaos and Clean Slate.

The rollback comes amid a huge dismantling of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs across the country. 

On his first day back in office, President Trump wasted no time signing a sweeping executive order to dismantle DEI programs across all federal agencies. 

LGBTQ representation is being drastically scaled back on television amid a nationwide rollback of woke DEI policies and initiatives. (Laverne Cox pictured)

The rollback comes amid a huge dismantling of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs across the country under President Trump’s second term

He has since ordered the Department of Justice to clamp down on what he calls ‘illegal DEI mandates’ in the private sector, and in April, CBS Studios settled a lawsuit against parent company Paramount of carrying illegal diversity quotas that discriminate against straight white men. 

The suit was filed by the America First Legal Foundation, a conservative group founded by White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller.

Miller filed the suit on behalf had of a Caucasian script coordinator for CBS series SEAL Team, who accused Paramount of hiring and promoting less-qualified minorities and female writers.

Major Hollywood players — including Paramount, Disney, Amazon Studios and Warner Bros. Discovery — have already scaled back or scrapped their initiatives entirely following the push.

The ripple effect is now being felt around the world, as international branches of the studios and streaming giants rush to align with directives from Hollywood.

‘It’s been a complete U-turn,’ one European showrunner told The Hollywood Reporter.

‘No one at these companies is interested in diversity anymore. They don’t want to hear it,’ he added. 

HBO’s And Just Like That is one of the LGBTQ-friendly shows to leave the screen 

Hulu’s gay sitcom Mid-Century Modern was axed after just one season

Sarah Kate Ellis, the President and CEO of GLAAD, has spoken out against the reduction of on-screen LGBTQ representaiton.

‘In this moment when diverse stories are under heightened scrutiny, GLAAD is partnering with entertainment industry leaders to meet a clear call: Do not cave to pressure to reduce LGBTQ representation,’ she said.

‘Freedom of speech includes freedom of storytelling, and that includes stories of our community.’

According to GLAAD’s report, ABC boasts the highest number of LGBTQ characters out of all the major networks.

NBC has the lowest, although the report points out that the network recently launched the medical drama Brilliant Minds, featuring a gay lead played by openly gay actor Zachary Quinto.

Some of the most notable LGBTQ shows that won’t return next year include HBO’s And Just Like That, Netflix’s gay teen romance drama Heartstopper, and Hulu’s gay sitcom Mid-Century Modern. 

Amazon Prime’s Clean Slate, starring transgender actress Laverne Cox, was also axed. 

‘To reflect the LGBTQ experience and to show the diversity of our community, these kinds of series are essential for authentic representation,’ the report said.