in 1990, he portrayed a gay man whose lover is dying of aids in "longtime companion". the role earned davison a nomination for the academy award for best supporting actor and a golden globe award for best supporting actor - motion picture. he concluded his golden globe acceptance speech with the hope that humankind would devote as much effort to the war on aids as its wars against each other. davison appeared in other movies addressing aids: in 1995's "the cure", he portrayed a physician sought by a young boy with aids in search of medical help. in 1996, davison appeared in the film "it's my party", which chronicled the true events of a man dying with aids who decides to hold a farewell party for family and friends before taking his own life. davison's website states he is a spokesperson for many aids-related groups and is a board member of the industry aids organization hollywood supports.