In the past few months, LGBTQ+ representation on television has sharply declined, with nearly half of all queer characters expected not to return next year due to show cancellations and series endings. Advocacy groups like GLAAD report that many trans-inclusive or LGBTQ-centered shows (Kaos, Clean Slate, Heartstopper, and And Just Like That) have been cancelled contributing to a massive drop in representation. Industry insiders say major studios, including Paramount, Disney, Amazon, and Warner Bros., are scaling back diversity initiatives following political and legal pressure, which has led to fewer and fewer queer stories being produced or renewed.
This trend is happening at the same time that Donald Trump’s administration has been dismantling federal DEI programs. Trump signed an executive order on his first day back in office targeting DEI in federal agencies, and his Department of Justice has begun pursuing companies for what it calls “illegal DEI mandates.” Lawsuits from conservative groups have further pressured studios to abandon diversity-focused hiring or storytelling. As a result, many creators say the industry has taken a sudden “U-turn,” becoming less willing to champion inclusive narratives producing an environment that ultimately results in fewer LGBTQ+ characters on screen.
