Just as television creatives in the last year were faced with a choice to engage (or not engage) with the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, the industry faced a similar choice in the 1980s with the arrival of HIV & AIDS.

As the virus progressed in real time, so did lack of information, fear, and ignorance -- which was often reflected on screen through early portrayals of HIV and AIDS that were problematic to the very communities most devastated by the virus. The ‘90s brought a rise in more educated and empathetic portrayals with ER and LIFE GOES ON, opening the door to even more nuanced storylines on BROTHERS & SISTERS, HOW TO GET AWAY WITH MURDER, and LOOKING.

All of these series allowed TV to explore HIV not as a death sentence, but as a medical condition to be managed and treated like any other, without stigmatization. This conversation explores TV’s complicated history in regards to HIV & AIDS storylines, and the ways in which it has dismantled stereotypes by showing those living with HIV and AIDS as capable of not just surviving, but thriving.

This panel originally aired as part of ATX TV Festival Season 10.

For more information and resources, please visit hollywoodhealthandsociety.org.

PANELISTS:

• Neal Baer, M.D. (Writer/EP, ER)
• Steven Canals (Showrunner/EP, Pose)
• Michael Lannan (Creator/EP, Looking)
• Daniel Franzese (Actor, Looking)

MODERATOR: Manuel Betancourt

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