• Pink News, Tuesday, August 7, 2007 10:45 AM

The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) has released its first assessment on the state of gay and lesbian representation on network TV. In its new "Network Responsibility Index," the group tracks the quantity, quality and diversity of images of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people on network television, and ABC garnered top honors.

The Alphabet Network, with shows like "Brothers & Sisters" and "Ugly Betty," received the highest marks. "While we have made great strides in the 10 years since Ellen Degeneres came out on television," notes GLAAD President Neil Giuliano, "this report shows where work still needs to be done, and which networks are failing to represent millions of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender viewers." The group looked at almost 4,700 hours of prime-time programming on the five top nets from June 1 of last year to May 31, 2007, with each reviewed for major or minor representations.

NBC -- former home of groundbreaking "Will & Grace" ranked fourth, while Fox got a "failing" grade. "We know that seeing multi-dimensional, diverse people represented on television changes public perception," says Damon Romine, GLAAD's editor of the report.

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