Ryan Murphy Takes to Instagram to Reflect on LGBTQ Progress in Hollywood

When the nominees for the 32 Annual GLAAD Media Awards were announced last week, out producer/director Ryan Murphy saw six projects he was involved in nominated. Murphy's nominations this year were for the films "The Prom" and "Boys in the Band," the Netflix series "Ratched" and "Hollywood," the Fox series :9-1-1: Lone Star," and the documentary 'Circus of Books' on Netflix.

Murphy expressed his enthusiasm for the nominations on Instagram. "I'm proud of all the casts and crews who gave their all for these nominated projects," and then became a bit reflective. "I started off in this business exactly 25 years ago. At that time in the mid-90s I was told I couldn't even have an LGBTQ character represented in my work. Too controversial, it might turn off advertisers, etc. In fact, I was told I couldn't even have a straight female character ('Popular's' Mary Cherry) wear a fake fur coat because in the words of the executive 'that's just too gay.'"

He persisted and luckily found allies who agreed with him. "In the past year alone, my company has not only created content that has shined a spotlight on hundreds of LGBTQ characters, but we have employed hundreds of out LGBTQ actors; who as little as five years ago would probably have been advised that being authentically who they were meant no more jobs (and thus no rent or food or health insurance). This morning's GLADD nominations say to me one important thing: progress. Thanks to everybody who watched these nominated shows, movies and documentaries. I truly believe this work is changing lives, and saving lives."

He concluded with: "If you can see it, you can be it."