Matt Bomer Executive Produces “Cashing Out,” New Documentary Unveiling AIDS Profiteering Scandal

A powerful new documentary, “Cashing Out,” is set to make waves in the queer community and beyond, as it exposes the dark underbelly of profiteering practices that targeted people living with AIDS during one of the most harrowing periods in modern history. Executive produced by acclaimed actor Matt Bomer and drag performer Angeria Paris VanMicheals, the short film is produced in collaboration with The New Yorker and promises to shed light on a predatory industry that has remained largely unexamined until now .

“Cashing Out” investigates the business of life insurance settlements that emerged in the 1980s and 1990s, when people diagnosed with AIDS were often forced to sell their policies at a fraction of their value to survive financially. These transactions, known as viatical settlements, were pitched as a lifeline to those facing mounting medical bills and economic marginalization, especially as government and social safety nets failed to support the most vulnerable members of the queer community. However, as the documentary reveals, these arrangements often resulted in significant profits for investors, while leaving many individuals and their loved ones with far less than they deserved .

Through archival footage and first-hand interviews, “Cashing Out” gives voice to those who experienced these exploitative practices, highlighting the intersection of economic desperation, stigma, and corporate opportunism. The film also explores the broader consequences for the community, from the erosion of trust in institutions to the ongoing struggle for justice and reparations.

Matt Bomer, known for his Emmy-nominated roles and outspoken queer advocacy, brings both personal passion and industry clout to the project as executive producer. Bomer, who has long been active in HIV/AIDS awareness and queer rights campaigns, has called attention to the necessity of confronting uncomfortable truths from the past in order to build a more just future. By leveraging his platform, Bomer aims to ensure that stories like those told in “Cashing Out” reach a wide audience and inspire meaningful change .

In a statement provided to The New Yorker, Bomer emphasized the importance of unearthing histories that have often been ignored or sanitized in mainstream narratives, particularly those involving marginalized queer communities most affected by the AIDS crisis. Fellow executive producer Angeria Paris VanMicheals echoed these sentiments, highlighting the need for ongoing advocacy and education around HIV/AIDS and its enduring impact on queer communities.

The release of “Cashing Out” has prompted significant discussion within LGBTQ+ circles and among allies, many of whom see the film as a necessary reckoning with a chapter of history that has been both underreported and misunderstood. Survivors and activists have lauded the documentary’s commitment to centering the voices of those directly affected by these financial schemes, while historians and policy advocates are calling for renewed focus on economic justice for people living with HIV/AIDS.

By bringing renewed attention to viatical settlements and their legacy, “Cashing Out” also intersects with contemporary debates around healthcare access, financial exploitation, and the responsibilities of both public and private sectors in protecting vulnerable populations. The film’s release comes at a time when anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and policies are once again on the rise globally, underscoring the continued relevance of this history .