Over the last few weeks, the LGBT Fans Deserve Better movement has been advocating to achieve real change in the quality of LGBTQ representation in the media, giving hope to LGBTQ viewers everywhere that our stories matter and our lives are important. lgbtfansdeservebetter.com  is honored to have been given the opportunity to collaborate with its creators to present to you the Pledge to the LGBTQ Fandom, an important step towards achieving this goal.

A Pledge to the LGBTQ Fandom

As television writers and producers we have been shocked, perplexed and distressed by the epidemic of LGBTQ television characters’ deaths.

We admit that it took us a little while to truly understand the outpouring of criticism being directed at the shows in question – series we love that have showrunners we respect. But, after much discussion and much debate, we believe that every writing room can learn something from this extraordinary and revolutionary movement.

We have heard your frustrations, your fears, and your call for a meaningful change. And we intend to honour your call.

Which is why:

1. We will ensure that any significant or recurring LGBTQ characters we introduce, to a new or pre-existing series, will have significant storylines with meaningful arcs.
2. When creating arcs for these significant or recurring characters we will consult with sources within the LGBTQ community, like queer writers or producers on staff, or members of queer advocacy groups like GLAAD, The Trevor Project, It Gets Better, Egale, The 519, etc.
3. We recognise that the LGBTQ community is underrepresented on television and, as such, that the deaths of queer characters have deep psychosocial ramifications.
4. We refuse to kill a queer character solely to further the plot of a straight one.
5. We acknowledge that the Bury Your Gays trope is harmful to the greater LGBTQ community, especially to queer youth. As such, we will avoid making story choices that perpetuate that toxic trope.
6. We promise never to bait or mislead fans via social media or any other outlet.
7. We know there is a long road ahead of us to ensure that the queer community is properly and fairly represented on TV. We pledge to begin that journey today.

As a member of the television/media industry, please indicate your commitment to improving LGBTQ representation in the media by signing the following pledge. We appreciate and thank you for your valued support.

Download the pledge

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