Out LGBTQ Entertainment Professionals Self-Identify & Get Hired with IMDbPro | GLAAD

For the past several years, GLAAD has been inundated with requests for lists of out LGBTQ actors, writers, directors, cinematographers, editors, script supervisors, and other behind-the-camera professionals. These requests are prompted by Hollywood’s increased interest in hiring people from historically underrepresented communities, especially for projects that center stories about their lives.

Until recently, it was challenging to find comprehensive lists of out LGBTQ professionals working in Hollywood, but not any more! We’re excited to let LGBTQ professionals in Hollywood know that they now have the option to self-identify and get discovered on IMDbPro.

GLAAD has worked closely with IMDbPro to develop new policies and product features that allow LGBTQ professionals to choose whether to self-identify their sexual orientation, gender identity, and other demographic information. These advancements make it easier for industry decision-makers to discover and hire out LGBTQ entertainment professionals, as they can now decide whether to display this information on their IMDb and/or IMDbPro name pages and in IMDbPro search results.

“GLAAD knows that it’s crucial for out LGBTQ professionals working in entertainment to participate in telling stories about our community, and IMDbPro has made it easy for those creators to be found.”
— Nick Adams, Vice President of the GLAAD Media Institute

IMDbPro FAQs

GLAAD has collaborated with IMDbPro to address common questions on how to manage your name page, verify details like your gender/gender identity and your sexual orientation, and how to get discovered by decision makers in the entertainment industry.

Do you have a page on IMDb and have you claimed it with IMDbPro?

Yes – see next paragraph

No – Entertainment professionals with an IMDbPro Premium or Basic (free) membership must claim their page to self-identify their sexual orientation and/or gender identity, as well as manage the display and searchability of information about themselves and their careers on IMDb and IMDbPro. Watch a how-to video to learn how to claim your page here.

How do I verify and manage sexual orientation and/or gender identity with IMDbPro?

Once you’ve created an IMDbPro account and claimed your page, you can choose to share more information about yourself, including demographic details like your sexual orientation, gender identity, race/ethnicity, and disabilities. IMDbPro members can manage their personal details and choose to display them across IMDb and IMDbPro using the “Edit your page” button and “Personal Details” section. Watch a how-to video here.

How do I manage my birth name or alternate names?

Anyone with an IMDbPro Premium or Basic (free) membership and a claimed name page can manage the display of their birth name and/or any alternate names on IMDb and IMDbPro. To access this feature, use the “Edit your page” button at the top of your name page on the IMDbPro site or app, click “Performer profile & credentials” and then click “Birth name” and/or “Credited alternate names.”

For members who choose not to display their birth name and/or alternate names, the name will no longer be searchable. The credits they earned under their birth name will still appear on their IMDb and IMDbPro name page. The IMDb and IMDbPro title pages for those productions will list their current professional name along with “Credited as a different name” to reflect that this information differs from the on-screen credits. Watch a how-to video here.

Self Identify and Be Discovered

You can claim your IMDb page and self-identify your sexual orientation and gender identity information with a IMDbPro Basic (free) account. Start managing your IMDb page today with IMDbPro.

You can upgrade to IMDbPro Premium to access more features, including:

• Manage and upload photos including your headshot and featured images
• Manage and upload videos including your demo reels and featured video
• Research agents, reps, talent, and more with advanced search features
• Access contact information for the people you want to work with
• Manage your contact information and representation on IMDbPro so you can easily be hired
• Manage the profession titles (eg. producer, writer) and credits you’re most “known for” on your page

Join IMDbPro Premium, new members get a free 30-day trial.