A new report from GLAAD reveals that the vast majority of Americans have limited exposure to media coverage about people living with HIV. According to the organization’s latest State of HIV Stigma report, 72% of surveyed Americans indicated they have not encountered stories featuring individuals with HIV over the past year, marking an increase from 66% the previous year. Additionally, 70% of Americans report having seen no depictions of people living with HIV in television or film during the same period.
The findings highlight a significant gap in media representation. Analysis of major studio films showed that only one movie featured a character living with HIV, while television networks aired just a single LGBTQ character with the condition during the 2024-2025 season. Social media and podcast coverage also remains minimal, with only 15% of Americans seeing HIV-related stories on social platforms and less than 1% of podcast episodes mentioning the topic.
GLAAD leadership stressed the importance of accurate media representation, noting that visibility helps encourage HIV testing and treatment. The organization emphasized that modern treatments can suppress the virus to undetectable levels, yet nearly half of Americans remain unaware of this scientific advancement. With approximately 1.2 million people living with HIV in the United States, GLAAD called on media outlets and policymakers to increase awareness and combat ongoing stigma surrounding the condition.
Originally reported by Variety →
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