Pose gives away AIDS crisis hospital props to help real hospitals fight coronavirus
Pose has featured a lot of hospital sets across its three seasons
From one pandemic to another, parts of the Pose set depicting a hospital during the AIDS crisis have been given away to help the present-day battle against coronavirus.
The acclaimed drama, which features a diverse queer cast, has put the 1980s AIDS crisis front-and-centre – with multiple episodes revolving around HIV-positive characters getting treatment in hospitals.
However, with the declaration of the coronavirus pandemic bringing industry-wide TV show production to a grinding halt, creator Ryan Murphy revealed that the genuine medical supplies used to build the hospital set have been gifted to real-life hospitals.
Pose AIDS pandemic hospital set will be used to fight coronavirus.
Murphy wrote on Instagram: “On my FX series Pose, one of our regular sets and locations is a hospital where in season three (spoiler) Blanca works as an AIDS/HIV counsellor.
“Today we donated all our prop supplies to Mount Sinai hospital to help nurses and doctors battling the COVID-19 outbreak. Let’s all keep giving when and where and how we can. More to come.”
Pray Tell, played by Billy Porter, visits his lover in hospital during Pose season one
Blanca, played by Mj Rodriguez, is one of several HIV-positive characters in the series.
Praising the move, one fan responded: “This is wonderful as we all deal with these uncertain times.”
Another added: “As a nurse, I thank you for this kind gesture! Every little bit helps!”
Last week, Murphy gave $50,000 to a relief fund to help those in the creative industries who have been left without work due to the coronavirus shutdown.
One of Hollywood’s most prolific TV creators, Murphy is known for creating shows like American Horror Story, The Politician and 9-11. The out producer is also a philanthropist – with all proceeds from Pose already going towards charities that support transgender people.
The AIDS pandemic lies at the core of the show.
Murphy has previously spoken about how the AIDS crisis is woven into the fabric of the show.
He told Variety last year: “[Pose] had a definite beginning, middle, and end. This show will end in 1995; it’s going to end before AIDS drugs became available. So it really is about the rise and decimation of a world.”
Some of the show’s AIDS-related scenes, particularly one featuring a mass of unclaimed bodies, were intended as educational history, but now feel eerily present-tense.
Speaking about it previously, Murphy said: “You watch it and it reminds you of the Holocaust. Images of these mass graves, people wearing hazmat suits… it’s emotional, and it’s history.
“LGBTQ history is so important and so undocumented. Millions of people will now learn about this and be outraged.”
