Declining LGBTQ+ and HIV representation in US media

Recent reports and discussions have highlighted a significant decline in the representation of Black LGBTQ+ individuals and people living with HIV in mainstream American media.

During a panel at the Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival, experts noted a three-year decline in LGBTQ+ storytelling among top film distributors. Specific data indicated a 36% drop in LGBTQ+ characters of color and a total absence of transgender characters in major studio releases. Panelists linked this lack of visibility to public health concerns, noting that Black individuals account for 37% of new HIV cases in the U.S. despite being 12% of the population.

Further analysis from GLAAD’s State of HIV Stigma report corroborates these trends, showing that 72% of Americans have not encountered stories featuring individuals living with HIV in the media over the past year. The report found that television and film depictions are increasingly rare, with only one LGBTQ character living with HIV identified in the 2024–2025 television season. Digital platforms also show significant gaps, with minimal mentions of HIV in podcasts and social media. GLAAD CEO Sarah Kate Ellis described these findings as a ‘call to action’ for media and public health leaders to provide narratives that reflect modern medical realities.