The POZ Awards spotlight the best representations of HIV/AIDS in media and culture. The POZ editorial staff selects the nominees, but the winners are voted most popular by POZ readers.
Eligibility is performed, published or accomplished between October 1, 2015, and September 30, 2016. Deadline for voting has been extended past World AIDS Day, which is Thursday, December 1, by one week to Thursday, December 8.
UPDATE: VOTING IS NOW CLOSED!
Here are the 2016 nominees for best in film or television:
Though most people are talking about the bachelor’s past with sex work, this Logo TV show has embraced contestants of all stripes. Before the show premiered this September, host Lance Bass and bachelor Robert Sepulveda Jr. revealed that one of the suitors is HIV positive (and we now know his name: Eric Leonardos).
This ABC show has been one of TV’s biggest hits during its two-year run and into its now-airing third season. The show has put queer characters, characters of color and at least one queer person of color in its cast. The Emmy-winning show, which has an HIV-positive character, also has dealt with HIV testing, HIV diagnosis and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP).
The HBO show Looking dealt with sexuality, HIV and PrEP in San Francisco with a frankness that was refreshing. Though it’s cancelled, the movie served as a series finale. This film also stands on its own, wrapping up character arcs, including what happens to their HIV-positive character, with a well-done bow.
When you hear the words HIV, bureaucracy and gentrification, you don’t exactly think laugh riot. But that’s exactly what this film tries to accomplish: a movie about the frustrations of living and loving with HIV in a rapidly changing San Francisco.
Now in its third season, this Amazon TV show has two HIV-positive transgender characters, Davina (Alexandra Billings) and Shea (Trace Lysette). Davina is the roommate of the main character Maura Pfefferman. Shea is a yoga instructor who this season discloses she is HIV positive to a man she’s dating.
The POZ Awards in Media and Culture
Read about the nominees:
Best Actor or Actress in Film and Television
