Welcome to the 4th Annual POZ Awards, which spotlight the best representations of HIV/AIDS in media and culture.
The POZ editorial staff selects the nominees, but POZ readers choose the winners.
Eligible nominees were active or were presented, published or produced between October 1, 2018, and September 30, 2019.
Be sure to vote for your favorite nominees by the World AIDS Day deadline: Sunday, December 1, 2019.
VOTING IS CLOSED!
Here are the nominees:
Block Party Web Series (Positive Women’s Network USA)
Once again, The Positive Women’s Network leads the way and demonstrates the enormous potential of networks of people living with HIV. Their Block Party series is dedicated to community organizing, and their goal is no less than massive voter registration and voter turnout during what we can all agree is a critical election year. Topics include cultivating leadership, telling your story, and how the historical lessons of community organizing can be applied to 2020.
The Grass is Always Grindr (56 Dean Street)
Season Two of this community-sponsored video series delivers exactly what we have come to expect from this London-based sexual health clinic: non-judgmental information in the form of a realistic depiction of the lives of gay Brits today. Throw in some drug use, infidelity, and other youthful indiscretions and you have the plot of this gutsy, informational drama.
How 2 Stay Positive When U Test Positive (Kayden Gray)
Adult film actor and sex worker Kayden Gray is living with HIV. Rather than keep his status private, though, he has bravely gambled that his considerable fan base will stick with him for his educational (and sexy, and engaging) YouTube video series about living with HIV. We’re here for it. Kayden’s topics throughout this year have included disclosure, STI’s, PrEP, chem sex, and U=U.
London-based PrEPster has been producing creative, cheeky advocacy content for years now – which is a critical mission, given the slow governmental uptake of PrEP in the UK. Their “PrEP Works” series is notable for its global content; advocates, healthcare providers, and people using PrEP, many from various corners of the world, share their experiences with PrEP’s use, efficacy, and societal reputation. The result is a compelling tapestry of the awesome power and promise of this HIV prevention strategy.
Revolutionary Health (Counter Narrative Project)
Last year’s POZ Media Award winner in this category hasn’t missed a beat, continuing to provide what is now an impressive library of health topics for and by gay Black men. It’s remarkable what their relatively modest team has accomplished and the speed with which they respond to breaking news events and topics. This year, Revolutionary Health has addressed sexual assault, testicular cancer, crystal meth, monogamy, PrEP, fetish play, and the passing of Toni Morrison, to name a few.
