Page 31 - ARUBA TODAY

PEOPLE & ARTS Wednesday 23 May 2018
A31

GLAAD study finds LGBTQ representation in film fell in 2017

By LINDSEY BAHR, AP Film sexual, transgender, and
Writer queer (LGBTQ) stories to be
LOS ANGELES (AP) — De- included in this conversa-
spite high-profile Oscar tion and in this movement."
wins for art house films like According to GLAAD, 20
"Call Me By Your Name" percent of Americans aged
and "A Fantastic Women," 18 to 34 identify as LGBTQ.
LGBTQ representation in The organization is calling
films from the seven big- on the industry to commit
gest Hollywood studios fell to hitting a target of 20 per-
significantly in 2017 ac- cent of major releases in-
cording to a study released cluding LGBTQ characters
Tuesday by the advocacy by 2021, and 50 percent
organization GLAAD. by 2024. It is also making a
GLAAD said in its sixth an- plea to studios to integrate
nual report that of the 109 LGBTQ characters more
major releases surveyed directly into the plot and
from 2017, 12.8 percent in- not to leave a character's
cluded LGBTQ characters, queer identity to subtext or
down from 18.4 percent interpretation as was the
the previous year. None of This image released by Sony Pictures Classics shows Daniela Vega in a scene from, "A Fantastic case with "Power Rangers."
the major films had a trans- Woman." The film won the Oscar for best foreign language film. GLAAD notes that 2018 is
gender character either, off to a more promising
although there was an in- Pictures and Walt Disney light, Roadside Attractions #MeToo movements and start with releases like Fox's
crease in the racial diversity Studios all received "poor" and Sony Pictures Classics, the huge box office suc- "Love, Simon," Paramount's
of LGBTQ characters after ratings, and both Lionsgate which distributed both "Call cesses of films like "Black "Annihilation" and Univer-
two years of decline. and Warner Bros. got "fail- Me By Your Name" and "A Panther" and "Wonder sal's "Blockers," all of which
Individually none of the ing" grades. Fantastic Woman," 28 per- Woman." played on thousands of
studios received higher As usual, independent and cent were LGBTQ-inclusive, "Inclusion is good for the screens in North America
than the "insufficient" rat- art house releases included up from 17 percent in 2016. bottom line," said GLAAD and "included central
ing given to 20th Century more LGBTQ characters. The report says that Holly- president and CEO Sarah queer characters who
Fox and Universal Pictures. Of the 40 films released by wood is at a tipping point Kate Ellis in a statement. "It have agency over their
Paramount Pictures, Sony Focus Features, Fox Search- with both the Time's Up and is time for lesbian, gay, bi- own stories."q

Prince Harry, Meghan at first

royal event as newlyweds

LONDON (AP) — Prince words about his father's tional heritage or to protect
Harry and Meghan, the good deeds — despite be- a particular species under
Duchess of Sussex, on Tues- ing buzzed by a bee that threat, which (Prince) Wil-
day attended their first roy- momentarily threw him off liam and I draw inspiration
al event as newlyweds — a his prepared remarks. from every day," he said.
Buckingham Palace gar- "It is your selfless drive to The event marks the first
den party honoring Harry's affect change, whether time Harry and Meghan
father, Prince Charles, for that is to improve the lives have been seen in public
his many years of charita- of those who are on the since an evening reception
ble work. wrong path, to save an on their wedding night.
The long spell of sunny important piece of our na- q
weather that gave their
Saturday wedding a spe-
cial glow continued Tues-
day at the outdoor occa-
sion.
More than 6,000 people
involved with charities sup-
ported by Charles also at-
tended the party in the
vast palace gardens.
It is the first of many events
to be held in advance of
Charles' 70th birthday in
November.
Meghan chose a pale pink
dress by British label Goat
for the occasion, worn with
Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex stands with her husband, Prince Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex walks with her husband, Prince
Harry as they attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace in a matching saucer-style Harry as they attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace in
London, Tuesday May 22, 2018. hat by milliner Philip Treacy. London, Tuesday May 22, 2018.
Harry spoke in glowing