"Law and Order: Special Victims Unit" (SVU) revolves around a Manhattan police precinct who investigate rape and other sexual assault cases. Sexuality is an issue often dealt with on SVU. Dozens of episodes feature queer characters, both victims and perpetrators. However, of its 19 years running, only two minor characters have been LGBTQ. Also notable is the fact that in the current cast, only one member is not white.

SVU prides themselves on being one of the most progressive shows on television. Each case tackles something different and controversial, and it’s clear where the writers stand on many political issues, including abortion, gay rights and even the current president. So why is it that there are so few characters who aren’t white and straight?

"The Undiscovered Country," the most recently aired episode of SVU saw the goodbye of Rafael Barba, played by Raul Esparza. His character was Cuban American. His replacement: a white man. This leaves the show with a grand total of one POC character: Odafin Tutuola, played by Ice-T.

In our current political climate, it’s safe to say that there should not be any issues with having a major queer character on a TV show. I can name a few shows off the top of my head that feature LGBTQ characters, with Brooklyn 99 and Orange is the New Black are two of the most popular. One fascinating example, however, is the Cartoon Network show Steven Universe. Featuring storylines that delve into LGBTQ themes that have not been covered on a kids show prior to the modern era, Steven Universe has received multiple awards and a vast cult following.

GLAAD’s 2017 report states that roughly 6.4 percent of TV characters identify canonically as queer. Though this number is higher than it has ever been before, many find it to not enough. SVU, although one of the most popular shows on television as well as one of the longest-airing ones, is not included in this percentage, with no current recurring LGBT characters on the show. Many viewers have complained to writers regarding the lack of representation, upset that they are unable to see people like themselves on screen.

"When you don’t see people like yourself, the message is: You’re invisible. The message is: You don’t count. And the message is: ‘There’s something wrong with me.' Over and over and over, week after week, month after month, year after year, it sends a very clear message, not only to members of those groups but to members of other groups, as well,” Michael Morgan, a researcher on media effects, said in an interview with the Huffington Post.

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A question that needs to be asked more often is: why can’t this change? There's no reason for there not to be a POC or a queer character. In fact, it will most likely be beneficial, bringing more viewers of different audiences to "Law and Order."

"It's just interesting that we're dealing with things about sexuality because it is about basic human dignity and power over another human being so now I'm actually like, 'We absolutely must have a gay character the show! We absolutely have to get into that conversation!" Raul Esparza said in an interview with E! Online.

So, SVU writers, it’s not too late to make a change. Viewers demand representation.