Fewer gay TV characters

Nine homosexual characters are depicted in network-TV series scheduled for the 2006-07 season, a decrease from last year’s 10, the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation said Monday.

Out of 679 series lead or supporting characters on the six major broadcast networks in the new season, roughly 1.3% are gay, lesbian or bisexual, according to the group’s annual study. The figure last year was 1.4%.

GLAAD analyzed the 95 prime-time comedies and dramas announced by ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, CW and MyNetworkTV.

“It’s clear that the broadcast networks have a long way to go before they accurately reflect the diversity of their audience and our society,” GLAAD President Neil G. Giuliano said.