Elizabeth Taylor has died in LA at the age of 79 The death of one of the world's most visible actresses and vehement AIDS campaigners Dame Elizabeth Taylor has left her legion of gay fans, in New Zealand and across the globe, mourning, celebrating and reminiscing. The stunningly attractive actress, dubbed “The Joan of Arc of AIDS” in the early 1980s, has died of congestive heart failure at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. She was 79. Dame Elizabeth has a special place in the hearts of gay men for her incredible advocacy in the HIV/AIDS arena. She was the first and most prominent star to align herself with AIDS fundraising and created a massive amount of traction through her star power, making powerful and honest public statements and raising millions of dollars. One of her closest friends, actor Rock Hudson, was the first international celebrity to admit to being infected and later die from the disease. While sounding a global rally cry for decades, Dame Elizabeth was not all about huge names and massive charities, appreciating the hard work of many relatively smaller players around the world. Last year she sent an autographed picture, a letter of authentication and a bottle of her signature White Diamonds perfume to New Zealand's Cartier Bereavement Trust for a fundraising auction. Trustee Karen Ritchie is paying tribute to the late star, “Her work has been absolutely amazing for many years, with HIV,” she says. “But on a personal basis as the Trust we would certainly like to acknowledge that we were lucky enough to get [the autographed picture and perfume] from her. And the person that actually bought it will have a lifetime memory now.” Global gay icons are expressing their love for Dame Elizabeth also, with Kylie Minogue saying "RIP Dame Elizabeth Taylor. Like a white diamond you'll shine on and on and on." Stephen Fry has added, "RIP Dame Elizabeth Taylor, surely the last of a breed." Dame Elizabeth is quoted as once saying, "I hope with all of my heart that in some way I have made a difference in the lives of people with AIDS … I want that to be my legacy. Better that than for the mole on my cheek."
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Thursday, 24th March 2011 - 1:40pm