Transgender representation on American television has collapsed by nearly 80% in a single year, according to a new report from LGBTQ advocacy organization GLAAD, raising concerns about the disappearance of transgender characters during a period of increasing political hostility toward the community.
GLAAD’s latest Where We Are on TV report found just seven transgender characters across scripted broadcast, cable, and streaming television during the 2025-2026 season, compared with 33 the previous year. Even more concerning, none of those seven characters are expected to return because their respective series have ended or been canceled.
The findings represent a dramatic reversal from the 2021-2022 television season, when transgender representation reached a record 42 characters.
Of the seven transgender characters identified in the latest report, six were transgender women and one was a transgender man. Together, they accounted for approximately 2% of all LGBTQ characters counted.
The broader LGBTQ community also experienced significant losses in television representation. GLAAD identified 369 LGBTQ characters across scripted programming between June 1, 2025, and May 31, 2026, down from 489 the previous season. That represents a decline of nearly 25%.
Representation among LGBTQ people of color also declined, reaching its lowest level in eight years.
GLAAD officials warned that the disappearance of transgender characters comes as politicians continue advancing legislation and policies restricting transgender rights.
Nick Adams, vice president of the GLAAD Media Institute, criticized television executives for retreating from transgender storytelling when visibility remains particularly important.
“Authentic trans characters on television can show audiences that transgender people are their friends, co-workers, family, and neighbors,” Adams said.
The organization also challenged the entertainment industry’s apparent retreat from LGBTQ programming despite the commercial success of series featuring queer characters.
Shows including Heated Rivalry, Pluribus, and The Hunting Wives have attracted substantial audiences, suggesting that LGBTQ storytelling remains commercially viable.
GLAAD President and CEO Sarah Kate Ellis argued that entertainment companies are ignoring audience demand while reducing representation. Research cited by the organization found that 58% of Generation Z respondents wanted transgender inclusion in television programming.
Although overall television production has declined, GLAAD noted that LGBTQ representation is disappearing faster than the number of new television premieres.
The report does not establish whether political pressure, programming decisions, or other industry factors directly caused the decline.
Nevertheless, its findings reveal a striking reality: At a time when transgender Americans face unprecedented political scrutiny, their fictional counterparts are becoming increasingly difficult to find on television.
