Barnes writes about the increase in films dealing with homosexuality.  Philadelphia is an example of the upsurge in major gay and lesbian characters in film; meanwhile mainstream culture experiences a new acceptance of homosexuality as well as a sharp backlash against it.  By L. Pardue

In Philadelphia many of the extras had AIDS or were HIV-positive and were recruited from Action AIDS Philadelphia.  Since the film’s release, 43 out of these 53 extras have died.  Jonathan Demme purposely set out to use AIDS patients in the film, which caused some apprehension with other members of the crew.  By L. Pardue