The Queen biopic Bohemian Rhapsody reigned at the 2019 Golden Globes, taking home a surprise win for Best Motion Picture—Drama at the 76th annual awards presented by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. Rami Malek, who played Queen front man Freddie Mercury, won Best Actor in a Motion Picture—Drama. (You can watch his acceptance speech above.)

Rock icon Mercury died of AIDS-related causes in 1991.

Bohemian Rhapsody was not the only nominated film or TV show to feature HIV-positive characters. Nor was it the only one to win.

 

FX series The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story was named Best Television Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television (watch the producers of the show accept the award above). Darren Criss, who played the troubled murdered Andrew Cunanan, won Best Performance by and Actor in a Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television. Also nominated from that show were Edgar Ramirez, who played the titular fashion designer, and actress Penelope Cruz, who played his sister, Donatella. Versace was HIV-positive when he was murdered in 1997.

The TV series Pose, set in New York’s house and ball scene of the 1980s, also received several nominations, including one for Billy Porter, who plays Pray Tell, a character living with HIV and grieving the death of a lover to AIDS. Porter was nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series—Drama (watch him on the red carpet in the clip above). And Pose was nominated for Best Television Series—Drama.  

The Golden Globes were held Sunday, January 6. Variety has a complete list of the nominees and winners here.

For related articles in POZ, check out these links:

AIDS Activists Interrupt the Premiere of ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ [VIDEO]

Freddie Mercury Bio Links the Rock Star to AIDS ‘Patient Zero’

Gianni Versace Has HIV in a New TV Series. What’s the Real Story?

10s Across the Board! ‘Pose’ and the Latex Ball Serve HIV Realness

POZ Poll: Has an AIDS-themed film ever strongly affected your life?