The 1997 fall television lineup included a record setting 30 lesbian, gay and bisexual characters. This 23% increase compared to the historic 1996 fall lineup is the result of three characters introduced during the 1996/1997 year and four new characters this fall. Throughout the season, GLAAD will continue to monitor how television represents the lives and lesbians, gay men, bisexuals and transgender people.

The following list reflects the characters currently airing on national television.

There were 27 lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender characters on television during the 1997-1998 television season .

All My Children: teacher Michael Delaney (Chris Bruno), student Kevin Sheffield (Ben Jorgensen), TV station stage manager Rudy (Lance Baldwin) and Michael's orthopedic specialist boyfriend Dr. Brad Phillips (Daniel McDonald). SUPPORTING/SUPPORTING/RECURRING/RECURRING. ABC.

Babylon 5: Susan Ivanova (Claudia Christian), the Lt. Commander of Babylon 5, and Talia Winters (Andrea Thompson), the station's telepath. SUPPORTING. Syndicated.

Chicago Hope: Doctor Dennis Hancock (Vondie Curtis-Hall) and Doctor Robert Lawrence (Mark Benninghofen). SUPPORTING/RECURRING. CBS.

Cybill: Waiter (Tim Maculan). RECURRING. CBS.

Ellen: On April 30, 1997, Ellen Morgan (Ellen DeGeneres) came out of the closet! Other gay characters include Ellen Morgan's (Ellen DeGeneres) friend Peter (Patrick Bristow) and his boyfriend Barrett (Jack Plotnick), who is also Paige's (Joely Fisher) assistant. On October 29, 1997 Ellen met Laurie (Lisa Darr), her new girlfriend. LEAD/SUPPORTING/SUPPORTING/SUPPORTING. ABC.

E.R.: Emergency Room Intern Dr. Maggie Doyle (Jorja Fox). SUPPORING. NBC

Frasier: Food critic Gil Chesterton (Edward Hibbert). RECURRING. NBC.

Friends: Ross' (David Schwimmer) ex-wife Carol Wylick (Jane Sibbett) and her spouse Susan Bunch (Jessica Hecht). RECURRING/RECURRING. NBC.

Homicide: Life on the Street: Detective Tim Bayliss (Kyle Secor). SUPPORTING. NBC.

The Larry Sanders Show: Hank's (Jeffrey Tambor) secretary Brian (Scott Thompson). SUPPORTING. HBO.

Mad About You: Paul's (Paul Reiser) sister Debbie Buchman (Robin Bartlett) and her girlfriend Joan (Suzie Plakson), who is also Jamie's (Helen Hunt) gynecologist. SUPPORTING/SUPPORTING. NBC.

Melrose Place: Billy Campbell's (Andrew Shue) Assistant and Samantha Reilly's (Brooke Langham) Best Friend Connie Rexroth (Megan Ward). SUPPORTING. FOX.

Nash Bridges: Nash's (Don Johnson) sister Stacey Bridges (Angela Dorhmann). RECURRING. CBS.

NYPD Blue: Officer Abby Sullivan (Paige Turco). SUPPORTING. ABC.

Profiler: VCTF Computer Specialist George Fraley (Peter Frechette). SUPPORTING. NBC.

The Simpsons: Mr. BurnsÕ assistant Waylon Smithers (Harry Shearer). RECURRING. FOX.

Spin City: Director of Minority Affairs Carter Heywood (Michael Boatman). SUPPORTING. ABC

Unhappily Ever After: Ryan and Tiffany's best friend Barry Wallenstein (ANT). RECURRING. The WB.

Veronica's Closet: Veronica's (Kirstie Alley) assistant Joshua (Wallace Langham). While closeted during the season opener, sources tell GLAAD he will soon bust out ('98 Fall Season). NOTE: At the end of the 1998 season, Joshua did not come out of the closet. SUPPORTING. NBC.