Has the LGBTQ+ community used people of color as a stepping stool?

It is not accurate to say that the LGBTQ+ community’s quest for inclusion has superseded or threatens the quest for inclusion for people of color. Both groups face discrimination and prejudice, and it is important to recognize and address these issues rather than pitting one marginalized group against another.

In Hollywood and in business spaces, it is also not accurate to claim that the LGBTQ+ community has become the most protected and feared class. While there has been progress in terms of LGBTQ+ representation in media and in the workplace, there is still a long way to go. LGBTQ+ individuals still face discrimination and are underrepresented in many industries.

One way to examine the representation of marginalized groups in Hollywood is to look at the number of TV shows featuring LGBTQ+ characters and the representation of people of color. According to a study by GLAAD, the percentage of LGBTQ+ regular and recurring characters on primetime broadcast TV increased from 10.2% in the 2018–2019 season to 11.8% in the 2019–2020 season. However, this still represents a minority of characters on TV and there is room for improvement in terms of the representation of LGBTQ+ individuals.

When it comes to the representation of people of color on TV, the numbers are also somewhat…