GLAAD announced on August 19 that the 1998 fall television lineup would include a unique array of regular and recurring lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender characters of color. Joining them will be national television's first gay male lead character on the new sitcom Will & Grace.

GLAAD's TV Scoreboard reflects lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (lgbt) characters on original broadcast and cable programming in primetime for the 1999-2000 television season.

There were 25 lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender characters on television during the 1998-1999 television season.

Beverly Hills, 90210: Samantha Sanders (Christina Belford), mother of Steve Sanders (Ian Ziering). RECURRING. FOX.

Chicago Hope: Dr. Dennis Hancock (Vondie Curtis-Hall) and Dr. Lisa Catera's (Stacey Edwards) assistant Andy (Todd Louiso). SUPPORTING/RECURRING. CBS.

Dawson's Creek: Joey's (Katie Holmes) ex-boyfriend and Andie's (Merideth Monroe) brother Jack McPhee (Kerr Smith). SUPPORTING. the WB.

The Drew Carey Show: Drew's heterosexual cross-dressing brother, Steve (John Carroll Lynch): RECURRING. ABC.

E.R.: Emergency Room Intern Dr. Maggie Doyle (Jorja Fox) and nurse Yosh Takata (Gedde Watanabe). REGULAR/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.

Linc's: Sexually questioning daughter of bar owner Russell "Linc" Lincoln (Steven Williams), Rosalee (Tisha Campbell). RECURRING. Showtime.

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.

Nash Bridges: Nash's (Don Johnson) sister Stacey Bridges (Angela Dorhmann) and receptionist Pepe (Patrick Fischler). RECURRING/RECURRING. CBS.

NYPD Blue: Officer Abby Sullivan (Paige Turco) and receptionist John Irvin (Bill Brochtrup). SUPPORTING/SUPPORTING. ABC.

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

Rude Awakenings: Billie FrankÕs (Sherilyn Fenn) Addictions Anonymous friend Jackie (Rain Pryor). SUPPORTING. Showtime.

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

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

Suddenly Susan: Pete, the mailroom guy (Bill Stevenson), and Pete's husband Hank. RECURRING. NBC.

Will & Grace: Lead character Will Truman (Eric McCormick) and his good friend Jack (Sean Hayes). LEAD/SUPPORTING. NBC.