AIDS: Music to the ears?

When it comes to art, I have a very open mind. Theatre is probably one of my favorite mediums for story. I can appreciate the realistic to the fantastic, musical and none, classic and avante-guarde, when it comes to witnessing performances live on stage. If there is anyplace you can get away with almost anything in the name of artistic representation, it's the theatre. One of the most well-known depictions of HIV is that shown in RENT, a musical about the "bohemian" lifestyle, independence, urban life, and HIV. Or is it?
I honestly did not appreciate the movie RENT, but when I finally saw it on stage at UCF, as one of the last people I knew who like musicals to have seen it, it opened my heart to the different, fun-to-listen-to (mostly) score, funny dialogue, and interesting balance of drama and comedy. Despite some crazy characters, jokes, and over-the-top acting that is traditional of musicals, one of the later scenes includes the lovable drag-queen/homosexual character dying from AIDS complications.
I recall shedding tears during the scene, but while things like this create sympathy about the disease, do they also perpetuate stereotypes? Yes, it's true that AIDS is an issue in the gay community and urban areas, but that isn't the whole story. Someone who is only exposed to artistic portrayals of AIDS such as this could come away with that idea. At the same time, does the fun of a musical or any show counteract the sympathy it evokes?
Consider the movie Team America. The most popular song from the comedy goes something like, Everyone has AIDS, AIDS, AIDS!" with the action figures dancing around, driving an untrue message into the heads of viewers like a big joke. Personally, I found the movie funny, but at the time I did not stop and think about these implications. When I asked what readers of this blog thought about comedic takes on HIV, such as that in the South Park episode, most people expressed some concern about insensitivity or misrepresentation.
In my opinion, you can't sensor art, whether it's your idea of art or not. You cannot expect one piece to show anything from every angle. Even an autobiography, written by the person whom its about as a firsthand account, leaves bits and pieces unaccounted for, shifting the focus on certain things like a filter. Should we expect to take the humor out of anything that somebody, somewhere may find offensive? The only thing we can do is combat this with education while enjoying the arts. It is unfortunate that some people take things too literally because they don't have the knowledge to do otherwise, but that is why we need to do what we can to spread awareness.
A recent comment from Teach also addressed the role humor plays in coping. I have to agree. As someone with a chronic illness, I find laughter to be the "best medicine" but kind of natural. Doctor's visits become such a routine that to take it too seriously would mean to be depressed nearly every day. I realize that it's serious and feel the pain, but it is not reason not to find some comedy in everything. For instance, I have become even more scatter brained and clumsy since getting more sick. I have "brain fog" and am often dizzy, making my coordination and balance off. I was already someone who experienced relatively frequent falls and spills, but now it's just ridiculous, and I constantly lose things. People make fun of me, but if I didn't take it lightly it would only add more stress. Even when I am hurting, I laugh at myself for moving like an elderly person or not being able to get out of bed like I am lazy. For me, there is no other way to take it.

Did You Know

RENT is widely regarded in the theatrical community and elsewhere as a huge awakening for the public regarding AIDS. I have heard personal testimonies about the show in which people believe it is a good teaching tool and plan to have their children see the show someday. I was able to find little information on the attitudes of actual HIV positive people regarding the show.
With my own illness, I know that I often find different accounts easy to relate to, even if they aren't entirely the same. When I hear songs written about lupus or see it on TV, I am grateful that is mentioned at all and am reminded that I am not alone. I look forward to finding out how individuals who are HIV positive feel about this kind of stuff through interviews.