Elizabeth Taylor: A Humanitarian and AIDS Activist Like No Other

By John Mitchell Posted Mar 23rd 2011 03:00PM

Elizabeth Taylor, who passed away today from congestive heart failure at the age of 79, was a Hollywood legend known as much for her tireless humanitarian work as for her legendary screen roles. When it came to her work with HIV/AIDS-related charities, including the American Foundation for AIDS Research, better known as amfAR, and her own Elizabeth Taylor HIV/AIDS Foundation, the actress was an unstoppable force committed to doing all she could to see the public educated about the realities of the disease.

"Celebrity is not something that comes without responsibility," Taylor said. "I kept seeing all these news reports on this new disease and kept asking myself why no one was doing anything. And then I realized that I was just like them. I wasn't doing anything to help."

Taylor took a major personal risk in speaking out on the issue of HIV/AIDS in the mid-1980s, long before then-President Ronald Reagan ever spoke on the issue and years before it became a fashionable cause to support.

"At a time when so many living with HIV/AIDS were invisible, Dame Taylor fearlessly raised her voice to speak out against injustice," GLAAD President Jarrett Barrios said in a statement Wednesday. "Dame Taylor was an icon not only in Hollywood, but in the LGBT community, where she worked to ensure that everyone was treated with the respect and dignity we all deserve."

After her good friend Rock Hudson died from complications from AIDS, Taylor, alongside Dr. Michael S. Gottlieb, created the National AIDS Research Foundation in Los Angeles, which merged with the New York-based AIDS Medical Foundation in September 1985 to become amfAR, an international nonprofit organization dedicated to evidence-based AIDS-related public policy, securing and raising funds for HIV/AIDS research, expanding access to care and treatment for all AIDS patients and protecting the civil rights of those living with the disease.

At the time of its creation, Taylor was named Founding National Chairman of amfAR. The organization continues to be one of the world's leading organizations dedicated to fighting the AIDS epidemic, and has raised nearly $325 million to fund its multifaceted mission. Taylor herself is said to have raised over $50 million in funds for the cause.

"She was one of the first public voices to speak up about the AIDS crisis while many others stayed silent in the 1980s, and she helped raise millions of dollars to fight the disease," Joe Solmonese, president of the Human Rights Campaign, said in a statement today.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, through her foundation, Taylor commissioned a 37-foot "Care Van" equipped with examination tables and other medical equipment and dispatched it to New Orleans to care for residents of the city suffering from HIV/AIDS. She also donated $40,000 to the New Orleans Aids Task Force.

Taylor testified before Congress to ensure Senate support for the Ryan White CARE Act of 1990, which continues to be a primary source of federal funding for HIV/AIDS programs nationwide, and in 1991, started The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation to complement amfAR's work as well as provide more direct AIDS-related services.

"I have dedicated my efforts ... above all, to the men, women, and children throughout the world who have died of AIDS, or are currently fighting for their lives," Taylor once said. And today, as her fans deal with her passing, there are doubtlessly millions of people living with HIV/AIDS and countless others who have been spared the virus because of the awareness she raised and educational endeavors she supported who are thankful to have had such a fantastic champion in their corner.

►Fans React to Elizabeth Taylor's Death
►Liz Taylor: A Humanitarian and AIDS Activist Like No Other
►Legendary Actress Elizabeth Taylor Dies at 79

Tags: amfAR, Elizabeth Taylor

Comments

(64)

Wednesday 23 March

By philbre713

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When Liz married eddie Fisher she coverted to judism he was jewish

By Karen

She broke up Fisher's marriage yet turned to his Jewish faith to portray her goodness.

By Eileen

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A brave, beautiful and talented woman til the end. Thank you, Ms Taylor, for all you gave to us.

By Lizard

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So when will we be "treated" to a gay parade in her honor?

By Justme

Well I must say your name says it all as your belly must scrape the ground. I can see that you are one of the idiots that believe that HIV is a "gay disease". I hope she is honored by a parade no matter who does it. Rest in peace fine lady.

By BB

Are you some kind of backwards IDIOT? Just wondering! I would have used bigger words but I am afraid that with your 8th grade education that you would only understand the 4 letter ones.
I bet you have S#!t for brains.
How far has your 2 digit IQ got you in life?
I bet you're proud of being the first person in your family to graduating the 8th grade.
That's great, we need people to pump our gas. But who counts the money for you?

By Rocky

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She will be missed not only for her humanitarian acts but also for the fact whe was a great actress and one that can not be replaced.

By e harmon

a wonderful person - actress, humanitarian, friend, mother, etc. May Liz rest in peace.

By lynn

I will never forget Elizabeth taylor in national velvet.Was one of the reasons why I have horses for 45 years now and one of them i call PIE.God bless you in heaven I will never forget you!

Lynn

By Ginny

Well said. I too grow up watching Ms Taylor. She will not be replaced.

By Elaine

I've watched many of her movies. Between her acting career and all her wonderful causes, we have lost truly a wonderful woman. God Bless to her and her family.

She was a good,kindhearted, giving person, who gave without counting the cost. So I'm going to go with "no, not jewish."

By David Vaughan

My heart goes out to the family and friends of Elizabeth Taylor. The world has lost a beautiful woman and star, We our all lucky to have shared in her life. Thank-You and RIP
David Vaughan Phoenix, Arizona

By Lorraine

Im so sorry to hear this news. She will be missed. My she rest in peace........

By dj1098

What does double set of lashes mean? Heard it on the news.

By Gregory Smith

What a Lady and what a humanitarian!

By Donnah

Elizabeth Taylor had so many illness'in her life and kept her head high and did so much good in the world. She was the most beautiful woman in the world - rest in peace Elizabeth - your work is done in this life.

By jinky

She was truly, 'THE LAST STAR', in the old Hollywood tradition, as the writer dubbed her. I was VERY sad to read this when I came on line. Yes, she had converted to Judaism to marry her true love, MIKE TODD, back in the fifties. She had a double set of eyelashes, supposedly, but she always wore plenty of eyeliner, I've noticed from looking at old photos. Beautiful violet eyes! Sad to see her go, but she was suffering so much lately that now she is at peace. R.I.P. LIZ!

By gene

GOOD, BAD, OR INDIFFERENT, CHRISTIAN OR JEW SHE MATTERED & SHE CARED. AND SHE WILL ALWAYS BE VELVET.

By aol member

People are just ignorant on here. Is this how you bashers would treat someone in your own family during a death? This is still how under educated some people are right in the US. Its amazing, if you don't have anything good or nice or respectful to say then go excercise your negativity somewhere else. Like maybe getting a education, morales, respect. Its a shame!

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