Our Superstar, Elizabeth Taylor, Is Gone

It’s a cold and gloomy day here in NYC – which matches my feelings exactly after learning of Elizabeth Taylor’s death.  In fact, I’m not ashamed of pleading “guilty” to weeping like a baby after hearing the news this morning. The loss of E.T. is definitely tear-worthy, at least in my book.

Dame Elizabeth Taylor Hilton Wilding Todd Fisher Burton Burton Warner Fortensky was – simply put - a SUPERSTAR. Furthermore, many gay men consider her OUR superstar, as she was one of the first to put her (considerable) star-power behind the cause of eradicating AIDS. Spurred on by the death of her friend Rock Hudson, Taylor became our champion - raising bucketloads of money and increasing awareness during the dark early days of the crisis. She eventually became one of the founders of the American Foundation for AIDS Research (amfAR) as well as her own Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation, which raised over $50M in its first ten years.

1985 Newspaper Clipping (via Joe.My.God)

But my favorite (non-serious) Elizabeth Taylor moment will always be her cheesetastic 1981 appearance on General Hospital as vengeful widow Helena Cassadine. As a 14-year-old gayling General Hospital fanatic, Taylor's arrival on the show was nothing short of FABULOUS. Here she is, as Helena, bidding a not-so-fond adieu to Port Charles (and Luke & Laura):

Rest in peace, Ms. Taylor. There will never be another like you.

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Happy Birthday to a Dame

Happy 78th birthday to Dame Elizabeth Taylor - AKA Elizabeth Taylor Hilton Wilding Todd Fisher Burton Burton Warner Fortensky.

In my opinion, Liz Taylor is one of the most strikingly beautiful women to ever walk the planet.  And one of the most admirable - for all her work on behalf of the AIDS/HIV community.

La Liz is also the star of one of my all-time favorite commercials.  Diva!! ...