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Draft:The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation

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  • Comment: With reluctance, I think this needs a bit more work on it before it can be graduated. The subject is the foundation, and that main section, in terms of describing the Foundation as an organisation, is Origin. That has only 2 sources, one of which does not work. The rest of the article looks fine to me, but because this is a notability issue we need better sourcing of the Foundation on its own. The Origin section needs more than 1 working source, a source which doesn't directly mention ETAF. ChrysGalley (talk) 16:30, 20 March 2026 (UTC)

The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation (ETAF) is a nonprofit organization founded in 1991 by actress and humanitarian Elizabeth Taylor to provide direct care, prevention, and advocacy for people living with or affected by HIV and AIDS. Established during the height of the AIDS epidemic, ETAF distinguished itself from other AIDS organizations of the era by directing funds immediately to community-based organizations providing hands-on care and services to people living with HIV. The foundation distributes grants across the United States and internationally, supporting programs in direct healthcare, HIV prevention, stigma reduction, and policy reform. ETAF continues Taylor's legacy of activism through initiatives including HIV Is Not A Crime, a national campaign to modernize HIV criminalization laws, and carries forward her belief that compassion and political engagement are inseparable from the HIV response.

Origin

Elizabeth Taylor had been a prominent AIDS activist since 1985, when she served as founding national chairman of the American Foundation for AIDS Research (amfAR), one of the first national organizations dedicated to AIDS research and fundraising.[1]

In 1991, Taylor established the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation separately from amfAR, with a focus on direct care and education rather than research. Taylor wanted funds to go directly to community-based organizations, in contrast to amfAR's predominantly research-focused model. ETAF's early grantmaking prioritized direct healthcare services, end-of-life support, and essential treatment access. Among the foundation's earliest grants were $100,000 for AIDS-prevention programs including condom distribution and needle exchanges in Latin America, and $250,000 to AIDS Project Los Angeles.[2]

As HIV treatment advanced and people began living longer with diagnosed HIV, ETAF shifted its focus to more comprehensive services, expanding its grantmaking to address long-term healthcare and social needs including stigma reduction, mental health, aging with HIV, and gender-responsive care.[3]

Today, the foundation supports program areas including HIV & Aging, Women's Wellness, Youth HIV Education & Prevention, and national policy advocacy through its flagship initiative, HIV Is Not A Crime.


Programs & Initiatives

HIV Is Not A Crime

HIV Is Not A Crime is ETAF's primary national advocacy campaign, focused on reforming outdated HIV criminalization laws across the United States. More than 30 states enacted HIV-related criminal laws in the 1980s, many of which do not reflect modern scientific understanding of HIV, treatment efficacy, or transmission risks.[4][5][6]

Since 2020, ETAF has supported state-based coalitions, legal reform campaigns, and national media efforts to modernize policy. The initiative has contributed to the reform of more than 30 laws in 12 states.[7][8] The program is supported through a grant from Gilead Sciences, Inc.

LIFEBEAT

ETAF's LIFEBEAT program works in partnership with the music and entertainment industries to encourage sexual health education and HIV prevention among adolescents and young adults. Through mobile activations at major concerts, festivals, and cultural events, the initiative promotes HIV/STI testing, safe sex practices, and connection to local resources. LIFEBEAT also engages audiences through social media campaigns and partnerships with community-based organizations.[9]

Events

ETAF launched its annual fundraising gala, The Elizabeth Taylor Ball to End AIDS, in 2020. The first event was held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021 and 2022, the gala took place in West Hollywood Park with honorees including Billy Porter, Dr. Anthony Fauci, amfAR, and Sandra Thurman (2021); and Charlize Theron, Colin Farrell, and Sheryl Lee Ralph (2022).[10]

In 2023, the event relocated to The Beverly Hills Hotel, honoring Earvin “Magic” & Cookie Johnson and hosted by Angela Bassett and Courtney B. Vance, with a performance by Gladys Knight.[11] In 2024 honorees included Jennifer Hudson and Richard Dickson[12], with entertainment by Natasha Bedingfield.[13]

In 2025, the event was renamed Night of Compassion, emphasizing a renewed focus on empathy, service, and community solidarity. Honorees included Tina Knowles, with Cookie Johnson serving as Champion of the event and entertainment by Jordin Sparks.[14][15]

The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation New York Dinner

The foundation held its inaugural New York Dinner in 2023 with an event at The Modern restaurant, presenting the Elizabeth Taylor Legacy Award to Macy's CEO Jeff Gennette and designer Zac Posen.[16]

The second annual dinner was held in 2024 at the Rainbow Room, honoring Live Nation's Arthur Fogel and featuring MC Dominique Jackson.[17]

In 2025 the third annual New York Dinner again took place at the Rainbow Room, honoring activists Gary Dell’Abate and Rosie Perez, hosted by Don Lemon with entertainment by The Head and The Heart.[18]

Awards

The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation administers several award programs recognizing leadership, advocacy, human rights, and allyship within the HIV/AIDS movement.

Elizabeth Taylor Legislative Leadership Award

The Elizabeth Taylor Legislative Leadership Award award recognizes politicians who have committed themselves to helping those affected by HIV and AIDS through advocacy and policy efforts. The first Elizabeth Taylor Legislative Leadership Award was given to Representative José Serrano by ETAF in 2015, and other honorees include Representative Barbara Lee and Senator Frank Lautenberg (2016), Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Senator Christopher Coons (2017), Representatives Brian Sims and Carlos Guillermo Smith and Senator Thomas Duane (2018), and Representative Karen Bass (2019).

The Elizabeth Taylor Legacy Award

The Elizabeth Taylor Legacy Award award recognizes those who have historically committed themselves to helping those affected by HIV and AIDS through various efforts from arts to policy to activism. The first Elizabeth Taylor Legacy Award was given to Aileen Getty by ETAF in 2014[19], and other honorees include Nancy Pelosi (2015)[20], Whoopi Goldberg (2016),[21] Elton John (2017), Michael Jackson (2018),[22] Rosie Perez (2025), and Macy's (2023).

The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation Dr. Michael Gottlieb Award

The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation Dr. Michael Gottlieb Award recognizes individuals and entities that have been consequential allies in the fight against HIV and AIDS. The first Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation Dr. Michael Gottlieb Award was given to Macy's Inc. in 2017.[23]

The Elizabeth Taylor Human Rights Award

The Elizabeth Taylor Human Rights Award recognizes the efforts of individuals who have achieved major breakthroughs or shown exceptional courage in their efforts to advocate for human rights in the field of HIV. The award is supported by the International AIDS Society and the Foundation for AIDS Research (amfAR). The Elizabeth Taylor Human Rights Award was established in 2012 and was awarded for the first time at the opening ceremony of the 19th International AIDS Conference to Arash and Kamiar Alaei from Iran.[24] Other honorees include Paul Semugoma from Uganda (2014), [25] Martha Tholanah from Zimbabwe (2016), Allan Maleche from Kenya (2018),[26] Loon Gangte from India (2020),[27] Tetiana Deshko & Andrey Klepikov and Rosemary Namubiru (posthumously) (2022), and Manisha Dhakal from Nepal (2024).[28]

Elizabeth Taylor Commitment to End AIDS Award

The Elizabeth Taylor Commitment to End AIDS Award is awarded at The Elizabeth Taylor Night of Compassion (formerly the Ball to End AIDS), and has been given to honorees such as Sheryl Lee Ralph (2022), Colin Farrell (2022), Charlize Theron (2022),[10] Earvin “Magic” and Cookie Johnson (2023),[29] Richard Dickson (2024),[30] Arthur Fogel (2024),[31] Gary Dell’Abate (2025), and Tina Knowles (2025).

Elizabeth Taylor Rowdy Activist Award

The Elizabeth Taylor Rowdy Activist Award recognizes individuals that have utilized their voice and platforms to advocate on behalf of people living with HIV and AIDS and the communities affected or at risk. The award is named from the remarks by Elizabeth Taylor upon receiving her third Oscar, the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, at the 1993 Academy Awards for her bold commitment to the war on HIV/AIDS.[32] In 2024 at the fifth annual Elizabeth Taylor Ball to End AIDS, Jennifer Hudson became the first recipient of this award.[13]

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  2. Collins, Nancy. "Liz's AIDS Odyssey". Vanity Fair.
  3. Dulin, Dann. "Elizabeth Taylor". A&U. Retrieved 31 March 2026.
  4. Norwood, Candice. "HIV is no longer a death sentence. But states still have laws targeting people who live with it". The 19th. Retrieved 9 January 2026.
  5. Sah, Pratha; Fitzpatrick, Meagan; Pandey, Abhishek; Alison, GALVANI (2017). "HIV criminalization exacerbates subpar diagnosis and treatment across the US: response to the 'Association of HIV diagnosis rates and laws criminalizing HIV exposure in the United States'". AIDS. 31 (17): 2437–2439. {{cite journal}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  6. "Mapping HIV Criminalization Laws in the U.S., CHLP (2025)". HIV Law and Policy. Retrieved 9 January 2026.
  7. "Governor Pritzker Signs HB 1063, Ending Criminal Penalties for People Living with HIV in Illinois". ACLU Illinois. Retrieved 9 January 2026.
  8. Salinas, Lashanda. "How I helped change the law that put me and other Black people with HIV behind bars". The Advocate. Retrieved 9 January 2026.
  9. Straube, Trent. "Lifebeat Is Now a Program of the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation". POZ. Retrieved 9 January 2026.
  10. Gardner, Chris. "Charlize Theron and Sheryl Lee Ralph to Be Honored at Elizabeth Taylor Ball to End AIDS". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 9 January 2026.
  11. Gardner, Chris. "Angela Bassett and Courtney B. Vance to Host Elizabeth Taylor Ball to End AIDS". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 9 January 2026.
  12. Malkin, Marc. "'Pose' Star Dominique Jackson to Host Elizabeth Taylor Ball to Ends AIDS in Beverly Hills; Gap CEO Richard Dickson to Be Honored". Variety. Retrieved 9 January 2026.
  13. Gardner, Chris. "Jennifer Hudson Snags Another Trophy: Rowdy Activist Award at Elizabeth Taylor Ball to End AIDS". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 9 January 2026.
  14. Gardner, Chris. "Tina Knowles to Be Honored With Elizabeth Taylor Commitment to End AIDS Award". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 9 January 2026.
  15. Rosemberg, Jasmin. "Jordin Sparks Starts a Dance Party at Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation Benefit". LA Mag. Retrieved 9 January 2026.
  16. "The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation Honors Zac Posen and Macy's CEO Jeff Gennette". Look to the Stars. Retrieved 9 January 2026.
  17. Chuba, Kirsten. "New 'Doctor Who' Premieres, 'Baby Reindeer' Stars Make Red Carpet Debut and More of This Week's Best Events". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 9 January 2026.
  18. Gardner, Chris. "Gary Dell'Abate on His Decades of Activism in the Fight Against HIV/AIDS on Behalf of Late Brother". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 9 January 2026.
  19. Washington, Arlene. "Aileen Getty to Receive Inaugural Elizabeth Taylor Award (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 9 January 2026.
  20. "Actress Kate Burton builds on the legacy of stepmother, Hollywood leActress Kate Burton builds on the legacy of stepmother, Hollywood legend Elizabeth Taylor". Positively Aware. Retrieved 9 January 2026.
  21. Yee, Lawrence. "Whoopi Goldberg Brought to Tears After Receiving Honor on World AIDS Day". Variety. Retrieved 9 January 2026.
  22. Sheckells, Melinda. "Michael Jackson's 60th Birthday Party in Las Vegas Brings Out Family, Friends & Fans". Billboard. Retrieved 9 January 2026.
  23. Auden, Brian. "Macy's Raises $1.1 M for The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation". Affinity Inc Magazine. Retrieved 9 January 2026.
  24. Sahimi, Muhammad. "Award for Alaei Brothers, HIV Advocates and Ex-Political Prisoners". PBS.
  25. Igual, Roberto. "Sa-based Ugandan Gay Activist To Receive Elizabeth Taylor Award". Mamba Online. Retrieved 9 January 2026.
  26. "The Elizabeth Taylor Human Rights Award honours Kenyan lawyer Allan Achesa Maleche". Aids 2018. Retrieved 9 January 2026.
  27. "Loon Gangte, ITPC South Asia Coordinator, receives Elizabeth Taylor award at AIDS 2020". IPTC Global. Retrieved 9 January 2026.
  28. "Prizes and awards". International AIDS Society. Retrieved 9 January 2026.
  29. Thompson, Jaden. "Magic and Cookie Johnson Vow to Carry On Elizabeth Taylor's Legacy As HIV/AIDS Activists: 'This Is Where Our Heart Is'". Variety. Retrieved 9 January 2026.
  30. "Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation recognizes benefactor at upcoming ball". Beverly Press. Retrieved 9 January 2026.
  31. "Arthur Fogel To Be Honored By The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation". Celebrity Access. Retrieved 9 January 2026.
  32. "Academy Awards Acceptance Speeches". Academy Awards Acceptance Speech Database. Retrieved 9 January 2026.