The first wide-release theatrical film to deal with the subject of AIDS , the film takes its title from the euphemism The New York Times used during the s to describe the surviving same-sex partner of someone who had died of AIDS. Longtime Companion chronicles the first years of the AIDS epidemic as seen through its impact on several gay men and the straight friend of one of them.
The film is split into several sections identified by dates. Sean is a screenwriter for the popular daytime soap opera Other People and David comes from a blue blood background and has a large trust fund. Back in the city, Howard Patrick Cassidy is preparing to audition for Sean's soap. His boyfriend is Paul John Dossett , a business executive and their next-door neighbor is Lisa Mary-Louise Parker , an antiques dealer , whose brother Fuzzy Stephen Caffrey is a lawyer who represents Howard.
That morning, The New York Times publishes its first article about the rise of a new " gay cancer ". The news spreads as friends call each other. Some are immediately concerned, others dismissive. Willy meets Fuzzy at a tea dance later in the afternoon and they begin a relationship.
Howard lands the role. John is the first among the group to be diagnosed with the new disease, contracting pneumonia. Howard is given script pages in which his character is slated to become the first openly gay character on daytime television.
He is very concerned about typecasting , fearing that by playing gay he will not be offered other sorts of parts. Willy and Fuzzy move in together. The group also discuss a sick neighbor who has become a pariah on the island. That evening, Sean and David argue over Sean's fears that he might be getting sick. Paul is hospitalized with toxoplasmosis. Sean is also hospitalized. Willy visits Sean and is so terrified of becoming infected that he dons a surgical mask and protective gown and, when Sean kisses him on the neck, excuses himself to the bathroom to scrub the spot.
