The Power of Real Stories
In February 2022, GLAAD’s 17th annual “Where We Are on TV” report found that LGBT representation on US TV was at an all-time high. Approximately 11.9% of characters on the 2021-2022 primetime slate were LGBT, an increase of 2.8% from the previous year. The report also noted lesbian characters as the most represented sexual identity on broadcast television. Scripted shows like CW’s “Batwoman” and Showtime's “Yellowjackets” feature strong queer women, and representation has also increased in reality TV programming, as seen on Bravo’s “The Real Housewives of Miami,” “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” TLC’s “I am Jazz,” and MTV’s “The Challenge.”
Bravo’s franchise of The Real Housewives is known for creating memorable TV, and it didn’t disappoint with the return of “The Real Housewives of Miami” in 2021. After an eight-year hiatus, the Miami housewives returned for season four with new additions, one of which included Julia Lemigova, the franchise’s first openly lesbian housewife. Since being added to the show, Julia has publicly shared her relationship with former professional tennis player Martina Navratilova. The show has since touched on important topics like the ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill in Florida and the adoption process for queer couples.
You can’t talk reality TV without mentioning competition shows. Over the years, shows like MTV’s “The Challenge” and “RuPaul’s Drag Race” have given everyday people and local performers a global platform to authentically be themselves. In 2022, Season 14 of “RuPaul’s Drag Race” notably featured five transgendered contestants—Kerri Colby and Kornbread “The Snack” Jete, who entered the competition openly trans; Bosco and Willow Pill, who came out as trans during and after the season aired; and Jasmine Kennedie, a trans woman who came out during the filming of the show. In an emotional moment discussing gender identity, Jasmine broke into tears as she shared with the group, “Seeing Kerri—seeing how confident she is in who she is—it just further affirmed what I’ve been feeling my whole life. I, as well, definitely do feel like I’m trans.” She followed with, “I’ve been so scared to say it. I have held back from it for so long because I didn’t want to hurt my dad. But I can’t lie about it anymore. I am trans.”
As GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis shared in response to the “Where We Are on TV” report, “the growing state of LGBTQ representation on television is a signal that Hollywood is truly starting to recognize the power of telling LGBTQ stories that audiences around the world connect with.” At a time when hate and violence have increased for LGBTQ+ individuals, authentic moments from talking about political agendas affecting queer individuals or showing the power of coming out when you are ready are shifting misconceptions about the queer lifestyle. These conversations that started on TV are transitioning into real-life activism, and one can hope will continue sparking change like the impact these women are making.
