AIDS throughout the years

Although we may not realize it, the media has significant influence over an individual’s thoughts; therefore, its portrayal of people and ideas is important. Despite the evolution of the media’s portrayal of LGBTQ+ community, the earlier portrayals, specifically those during the 80’s and 90’s played a significant role in the stigmatization against the community as well as reducing the stigmatization. The following is a list of movies and shows that depict HIV/AIDS in some way; therefore, influencing the audience’s perception of the disease and those infected in some way.

• “An Early Frost” (1985) was one of the first forms of media to bring HIV representation to the screens. It addresses the struggle of familial relationships those who are infected with AIDS suffer from. The main character combats stereotypes presented about those with the disease becoming an advocate for LGBTQ+ community.

• Based on a true story “The Ryan White Story” (1989) continues to combat the harmful stereotypes of those suffering from AIDS by presenting the case of a young boy who contracted AIDS through a blood transfusion. The movie shows the struggles and discrimination that those with AIDS suffer from as a result of such stereotypes. Also draws light on the lack of protocols in hospitals as they could no prevent the spread of HIV through transfusions

• “Something to live for: the Alison Gertz Story” (1992) tells the story of a heterosexual female that contracted HIV from a one night stand. The emotional story draws international attention as it displays how Gertz overcame her fear of dying and channeled it into helping others.

• “Philadelphia” (1993) is about a gay male who is fired from his job as a result of discrimination. The movie depicts the main character's struggle as he deals with hatred resulting in him later becoming an advocate for those with HIV/AIDS.

• Although she is not the first TV character to contract HIV, Jeanie Boulet in “ER” (1977) is the first to survive. The television character fights the disease with treatment and continues helping others through adopting an HIV positive baby and becoming an HIV counselor

• “Angels in America” (2003), the winner of 5 golden globes, is a mini series that only showed one season but had an insightful impact it had on the AIDS epidemic awareness. It's based on the play that won a Pulitzer Prize in 1991 by Tony Kushner. The series was set in 1985 at the heart of the crisis. It followed 6 New Yorkers, particularly Prior Walter; a gay man, disagnosed with AIDS, visited by an angel. The Seattle Times named the series “Best of the filmed AIDS portrayals.”

• “Test” (2013) is set in 1985 San Francisco following Frankie who is the understudy at a dance company and is in a new relationship with a veteran dancer, Todd. Being new to their relationship, they battle the beginning of the AIDS epidemic together, escaping their troubles and finding hope and beauty in dance. It grossed about $18,823 worldwide but one multiple awards.

• “Holding the Man” (2015) depicts the struggles of those living with AIDS in the 1980’s particularly the stigma behind it. The couple the film focuses on is affected by the disease and must endure the emotional and physical obstacles of AIDS in addition to the ups and downs of life in general.

• “Shameless” is a popular television show introduced a character who is HIV positive in a positive manner (no discrimination, just empathy) therefore normalizing it. Although there is limited representation today (in 2018-2019 there were 857 characters who are a part of the LGBTQ+ community but only 7 were HIV+) such representation as that in shameless can help reduce the stigma.

• “Pose” (2018) is a TV drama that follows the iconic house mom’s that are in the center of New York's underground ball culture. This was a movement that first came to light in the late 1980s. The show was a golden-globe nominee that has the largest recurring cast of LQBTQ+ individuals that have ever existed for a TV series. The show follows Bianca Rodriguez as she leans on her friends upon learning that she is HIV positive. She leaves the House of Abundance that discriminates against people in her community and makes her own house to build an LGBTQ+ community of those rejected by their family. The show is actually a part of Disney Television Studios along with other big names in media.

• “Bohemian Rhapsody” (2018) was a musical drama centered around the life of Freddie Mercury who was the lead singer of the rock band Queen. They became a band in 1970 and the movie goes all the way to 1985 with their Live Aid performance. Unfortunately, mixed reviews were given from the critics, however, Malek (who played Mercury) was praised for his performance as well as the music. The depiction of Mercury’s sexuality and the lives of his bandmates was greatly criticized along with the way the film was directed. The audience loved it and grossed $911 million dollars throughout the world. The movie won four awards at the 91st Academy Aways and won Best Motion Picture at the 76th Golden Globe Awards. Malek also won a few awards for his acting in the film.

• “Queer Eye” (2018), bringing back the show that struck the media from 2004-2007, this 2018 adaptation follows 5 gay man that take on Atlanta. They help the people of their city improve their clothing style, appearance, diet, culture, and home style. These people usually have different beliefs than the fab five yet they advise them to improve their lifestyle. The show is praised for its impressive representation of the LGBTQ+ community as well as people of color.

• “It’s a Sin” (2021) is a series that takes place in London from 1981 to 1991, at the height of the AIDS crisis. The show is set around a group of gay men and their friends who experience, first hand the drastic effects of the crisis. Interestingly enough, the show created an increase in HIV testing. Overall, the show had really positive reviews with at least 6.5 million viewings.

• “HIV: The Neglected Pandemic” (2021) is a documentary voiced by one of the stars of Queer Eye, Jonathan Van Ness. He explorers 40 years of HIV/AIDS in order to seek statistical truths such as those who have survived the epidemic, how people are doing as they live with the virus and the difference between how it is versus how the media perceives it to be. The documentary also features information from Dr. Anthony Fauci who held great influence during the AIDS crisis, beginning in 1984 as he gained the title of “director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases” which he still to this day.

With the AIDS epidemic stunning the world and leaving people in fear, the media’s expression of the challenges gay individuals went through was extremely imformative and influential. This media spans from the 80’s to present day and adds their own little piece to the infamous disease’s story. Moreover, these forms of media give the LGBTQ+ community the acknowledgement that society did not. The media allows this disease to be represented so it's not forgotten. Though it is so infamous, it's important to know and understand like any other disease humans encounter. This media has an impact on so many individuals, revealing the truth of the impact it has on our world.

Sources

Angels in America - Official Website for the HBO Series. https://www.hbo.com/angels-in-america. Accessed 25 Mar. 2022.

“Angels in America (Miniseries).” Wikipedia, 23 Feb. 2022. Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Angels_in_America_(miniseries)&oldid=1073555060.

Bohemian Rhapsody (Film) - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bohemian_Rhapsody_(film). Accessed 25 Mar. 2022.

HIV on TV: Why Representation Matters. https://www.aidschicago.org/page/news/inside-story/hiv-on-tv-why-representation-matters. Accessed 25 Feb. 2022.

“How the Media Shapes Perception of HIV and AIDS.” Healthline, 17 Jan. 2017, https://www.healthline.com/health/media-and-perception-of-hiv-aids.

Hulu | Series. https://www.hulu.com/series/vice-versa-hiv-the-neglected-pandemic-0fe4587d-373d-4f95-8a7e-f645e79994d8. Accessed 25 Mar. 2022.

“It’s a Sin (TV Series).” Wikipedia, 22 Mar. 2022. Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=It%27s_a_Sin_(TV_series)&oldid=1078715114.

Jonathan Van Ness to Voice Vice TV HIV/AIDS Doc Feature (Exclusive) – The Hollywood Reporter. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/vice-tv-aids-documentary-jonathan-van-ness-1234953247/. Accessed 25 Mar. 2022.

POSE | Episodes | FX Networks. https://www.fxnetworks.com/shows/pose. Accessed 25 Mar. 2022.

Queer Eye - Rotten Tomatoes. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/queer_eye_2018. Accessed 25 Mar. 2022.

Queer Eye (2018 TV Series) - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queer_Eye_(2018_TV_series). Accessed 25 Mar. 2022.

Queer Eye (TV Series 2018– ) - IMDb. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7259746/. Accessed 25 Mar. 2022.

Rent - Rotten Tomatoes. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1152276-rent. Accessed 25 Mar. 2022.

Test (2013) - IMDb. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2407380/. Accessed 25 Mar. 2022.

Articles By Samantha Neibloom, Alyssa Iovacchini, Graphic by Emily Myers