By Stephen Massey, U.S. Business Action to End HIV, and Jennifer Lynch, Paramount Pictures

While medical advances have transformed HIV into a preventable and manageable condition, public understanding lags behind the science. Too often, outdated portrayals in movies, on TV, and across social media reinforce stigma rather than reflecting today’s reality: People living with HIV can lead full, thriving lives.

Stories can be powerful tools to shift culture and build empathy. The media and entertainment industry has an opportunity to tell more stories about HIV that reflect truth, dignity, and modern science.

In October 2025, U.S. Business Action to End HIV and Paramount Pictures hosted "Hollywood x HIV: Rewriting the Narrative," an invitation-only gathering of media and entertainment leaders to reflect on Hollywood’s legacy, assess the current landscape, and explore new opportunities for cultural leadership.

A Conversation About Opportunity and Impact

Sponsored by MISTR, with support from Gilead Sciences and ViiV Healthcare, the event convened 35 leaders from across the entertainment ecosystem, including producers, directors, writers, talent agencies, reality TV creators, and Hollywood impact executives.

Participants engaged in a candid, solutions-focused discussion about the industry’s responsibility and opportunity to reshape how HIV shows up in film, television, and popular culture. The conversation invited leaders to consider:

• How the stories they greenlight and craft shape public perception and understanding.
• How more accurate and inclusive narratives can reduce stigma and spark action.
• How the industry can better support its own creative workforce through education, stigma reduction, and stronger workplace policies.

The convening underscored that audiences increasingly expect honesty, representation, and authenticity — and they notice when the industry gets it right.

The dialogue led to new ideas, partnerships, and tangible commitments. Leaders from Purveyors of Pop, producers of the Bravo series "Married to Medicine" and "The Real Housewives of Miami," shared that they are exploring opportunities to incorporate HIV-related storylines, demonstrating how quickly conversations can translate into cultural momentum.

Introducing New Tools for Storytellers and Employers

To help catalyze lasting change, U.S. Business Action to End HIV and GLAAD debuted two new resources at the convening. These tools are designed to support both the creative process and the entertainment industry workforce:

Hollywood & HIV: Five Tips for Authentic, Impactful HIV Storytelling
A quick guide for creators on telling modern, stigma-free stories that reflect the real lives of people with HIV.

Hollywood & HIV: Five Tips for Media and Entertainment Employers
Practical steps for entertainment industry employers to provide stigma-free HIV prevention, care, and support.

Together, these resources offer steps to reshape narratives on screen and support creative professionals behind the scenes.

A New Chapter in Cultural Leadership

The "Hollywood x HIV" convening marked an important milestone in Hollywood’s commitment to cultural leadership and a new chapter in the partnership between the entertainment industry and the movement to end HIV.

Participants reaffirmed that the industry’s influence extends far beyond entertainment; it shapes the public's understanding, empathy, and dialogue. Through modern storytelling and stronger workplace support, Hollywood can help build a more accurate, inclusive narrative — one that reflects science, honors lived experience, and moves society closer to ending the epidemic.

About U.S. Business Action to End HIV

U.S. Business Action to End HIV was founded in 2022 by the Health Action Alliance, with support from ViiV Healthcare, to mobilize the private sector to help end HIV in the U.S.

Want to get involved? You can request more information about joining the Coalition. Visit healthaction.org/endhiv to explore free resources, articles, and events to help you support employees and communities affected by HIV.

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Stephen Massey is a social impact entrepreneur and corporate communications expert who co-founded Meteorite, the firm behind the Health Action Alliance and U.S. Business Action to End HIV. Massey has led global campaigns on public health, civic engagement, and climate change, and previously served as a White House National Security Fellow in the Clinton Administration.

Jennifer Lynch is Senior Vice President of Global Corporate Social Responsibility and Internal Communication at Paramount Pictures, where she leads employee engagement, community investment programs, and ESG strategy. She previously served as Senior Director for the STAPLES Center Foundation and VH1 Save The Music Foundation. She holds a master’s in public administration from NYU’s Wagner Graduate School of Public Service and serves on the board of the Environmental Media Association, as well as the Corporate Leadership Council of Southern California Grantmakers and the Executive Committee of the Sustainable Entertainment Alliance.

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