GLAAD report finds declining HIV representation in US media

A report by GLAAD reveals a significant decline in the media representation of people living with HIV. According to the sixth annual State of HIV Stigma report, 72% of Americans reported not encountering stories featuring individuals living with HIV in the media over the past year, an increase from 66% in 2024.

Television and film representation has also dropped, with 70% of Americans stating they have not seen any depictions of people living with HIV in these mediums. GLAAD’s analysis of the 2024–2025 television season found only one LGBTQ character living with HIV, who is not returning. In film, out of 225 major studio films analyzed, only one movie, ‘Fairyland,’ featured a character with HIV, and the portrayal was set during the early days of the epidemic rather than reflecting modern medical realities.

Digital platforms show similar gaps, with only 0.09% of podcast episodes mentioning HIV and just 15% of Americans reporting seeing such stories on social media. GLAAD CEO Sarah Kate Ellis called the findings a ‘call to action’ for media and public health leaders to provide authentic narratives that reflect scientific advancements in prevention and treatment.