An old interview with television creator Jacob Tierney is gaining attention. He spoke openly about his HIV diagnosis and stigma. Tierney is known from Heated Rivalry series, which showed honest depictions of homosexuality.

In 2022 Tierney said in a podcast that he is HIV-positive and undetectable. He got the virus at age 34. 'It was really bad,' he said. He became very ill, lost weight and had medical complications. The person who gave him the virus did not take his medicine. Tierney warns others: 'Keep taking your medicine.'

One year later everything would have been different. PrEP, a preventive medicine, had just come out. Tierney was also diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. 'For eighteen months I was basically dying,' he said. His HIV doctor discovered what was really happening.

Tierney also speaks about how series show sex scenes. He thinks gay sex on TV should be shown realistically. 'People remove their sexuality, as if it does not belong,' he said. With Heated Rivalry he broke these traditions deliberately.