10 HIV-Positive LGBT Characters We Love

Steve Howard (Michael T. Weiss) and Darius (Bryan Batt) -- Jeffrey (1995)

Neither death and funerals, nor the vital importance of sex, love and joy, are handled lightly in this classic comedy. Based on the Paul Rudnick play of the same name, Jeffrey tells the story of a gay, HIV-negative Manhattan actor/waiter and sex addict (Steven Weber) who gives up the good stuff in the face of the city's growing AIDS epidemic. His best friend, Sterling (Patrick Stewart), has a younger chorus-boy lover, Darius (Bryan Batt), who is HIV positive -- as is Jeffrey's would-be love interest, Steve Howard (Michael T. Weiss). A colorful, hilarious cast of friends, bit players and memorable celebrity cameos eventually teach Jeffrey to "hate AIDS … not life."