Sat 14 May 2011 In: New Zealand Daily News View at Wayback View at NDHA
A special signed photograph and letter from the late Dame Elizabeth Taylor will be on display at the Auckland AIDS Candlelight Memorial Service tomorrow evening. The fierce AIDS campaigner and stellar actress died in March this year, 18 years after founding the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation. In the same year as she started the charity she sent the New Zealand AIDS Foundation a letter, which reads: "Please know that although I cannot be with you in the beautiful country of New Zealand, my thoughts and heart are surely there. "As we continue to wage the battle against the virus that has claimed the lives of so many of our best and brightest, it is vital that we stand together to fight the blame and prejudice that so often accompany each new diagnoses… Your gathering [the 1993 AIDS Media Awards] tonight affirms the commitment to life that is every human being's birthright, and your continuing efforts in this fight underscore the strength and compassion of the people of New Zealand. "For your responsibility, your caring, your efforts, and all your hard work, I thank you from the bottom of my heart," she finishes. Just last year Taylor 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. In remembrance of the late actress, the NZAF will take a signed photograph and letter, on loan from the Ken Beale estate, to the Auckland Candlelight Memorial Service at St-Matthew-in-the-City on Sunday evening. There will also be candlelight gatherings in Whangarei, Auckland, Tolaga Bay, New Plymouth, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin and Invercargill. The theme Touching Lives will be centred on honouring and celebrating the lives of those who have died of AIDS, the majority of whom were gay and bisexual men in New Zealand. National Co-ordinator (Elect) for New Zealand Wayne Otter says this year has the greatest number of services in New Zealand since the 1990s. "This surge in interest shows that New Zealand is making considerable progress in breaking down barriers and raising social consciousness about HIV, and that is fantastic to see." Otter says the Candlelight Memorial service is about paying our respects to those in the community who have died of AIDS, but it is also about people coming together to share their stories and to express their commitment to HIV awareness. "Many people in New Zealand have in some way been touched by the HIV epidemic, none more so then the gay community, and the memorial offers an opportunity and a safe space to gather in recognition of that.” Times and locations for memorials in New Zealand are as follows: WHANGAREI 6pm Christ Church, 2B Kamo Rd, Regent AUCKLAND 6pm St Matthew-in-the-City Cnr Hobson and Wellesley St Auckland Central TOLAGA BAY TBC NEW PLYMOUTH 7pm Taranaki Base Hospital Chapel Maternity Entrance David St, Westown WELLINGTON 7pm St Andrew's on the Terrace 30 The Terrace, Wellington Central CHRISTCHURCH 6pm St Alban's Park Edward Ave, Edgeware DUNEDIN 7pm St Paul's Cathedral The Octagon, Dunedin INVERCARGILL 6pm Bluff Hill Bluff
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Saturday, 14th May 2011 - 9:48am