A four-year-old interview with television producer Jacob Tierney is gaining attention. He spoke openly about his HIV diagnosis and related stigma. Tierney created the series Heated Rivalry, which stood out for honest depictions of gay sex on television.

In 2022, Tierney told a podcast he was HIV-positive and undetectable. He contracted the virus at age 34. "It was really terrible," he said. He became seriously ill and lost significant weight. Medical complications followed that many people struggle with. The person who gave him the virus did not take medication. He had a high viral load. Tierney warns others: "Keep taking your medication."

A year later, things would have been different. PrEP, a preventive drug, had just launched. Tierney was also diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. "For eighteen months, I was basically constantly dying," he said. Only his HIV doctor discovered what was really happening.

Tierney also discusses how series depict sex scenes. He believes gay sex on television must be shown authentically. "People just remove their sexuality, as if it doesn't belong to them," he said. With Heated Rivalry, he deliberately broke those traditions.