(Undated) -- CBS is diversifying scripted fare this season, adding homosexual characters to new and existing shows. The move is a response to criticism from the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, or "GLAAD," that there isn't enough representation of its community on the network. On CBS' drama "The Good Wife," the brother of Julianna Marguiles' attorney character will be openly gay, as will a recurring character on the new William Shatner comedy "Bleep My Dad Says." On the existing series "Rules Of Engagement," a surrogate hired by Patrick Warburton and Megyn Price's characters to carry their child will be a lesbian.
CBS' announcement follows news that the network earned mediocre marks in GLAAD's fourth annual Network Responsibility Index. In the period from June 1, 2009 through May 31, 2010, only seven percent of the people represented in prime time where gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender. The report noted that most of these representations were participants on reality shows, not scripted characters.
