Recommended Reading: "My sad and trivial night with Rock Hudson"

Image via WikipediaIn the days after the passing of Elizabeth Taylor, blogger Mark S. King, of "My Fabulous Disease" (who I profiled by on November 9, 2010 for his video, "In Praise of HIV Negative Gay Men") was inspired to write about his own encounter with another Hollywood legend back in the day. While out for dinner one night to celebrate their anniversary, Mark and his partner met the late screen heart throb Rock Hudson.

They shared a few drinks, had a few laughs and played a game of Trivial Pursuit back at the couple's apartment. But it didn't end there. Did Mark contract HIV from Rock Hudson?

 Mark's article, "My sad and trivial night with Rock Hudson" details the thrilling chance encounter with the the handsome screen icon before anyone, even he, knew what was to become a turning point in gay history and the history of HIV/AIDS awareness. It is a must read. Click the link to check it out.

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Screen Legend Elizabeth Taylor Leaves Fortune to AIDS Charities

Image via WikipediaThe New York Post is reporting that the late Elizabeth Taylor has left the bulk of her estate, estimated to be worth as much as $1 billion, to two HIV/AIDS charities founded by the actress, amfAR and The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation.

Her famous jewelry collection, valued at an eye-popping $150 million in 2002, is likely to be auctioned off with the bulk of the proceeds going to the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation and amfAR, the AIDS charity she helped found in 1985, according to WFLD/Fox TV Chicago.

"From what I understand, she seems to have been very wise about her investments," said a financial planner who has worked with other Hollywood A-listers.

At the time of her 1994 divorce from her last husband, Larry Fortensky, Taylor's net worth was estimated at $608.4 million. That figure could now be well in excess of $1 billion.

During the 1990s, Taylor reportedly earned about $2 per second, or about $63 million per year.

Her famed perfume, White Diamonds, earned more than $70 million last year, according to reports.

Taylor's acting career was, of course, quite lucrative and even in her later years, she was paid top dollar for film work.

The violet-eyed siren, who in 1963 commanded a then-record $1 million payout for "Cleopatra," snared $2.5 million for a small part in her last movie, "The Flintstones," in 1994.

Taylor was buried at Forest Lawn Thursday in a private ceremony attended by close friends and family. She shares a mausoleum with her close friend Michael Jackson. According to the BBC, the ceremony started 15 minutes late, in accordance with her own wishes:

"Miss Taylor had left instructions that it was to begin at least 15 minutes later than publicly scheduled, with the announcement: 'She even wanted to be late for her own funeral'," said a statement from her publicist.

There were no reports of protests by the Phelps klan, however, a public memorial will be held at a later date.

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Westboro Baptist to Picket Funeral of Elizabeth Taylor

The Wackos from Westboro are at it again. As the world mourns the loss of a beloved Hollywood legend and fierce AIDS activist, Margie Phelps, daughter of Anti-Christ Fred Phelps, tweeted the following yesterday:

"No RIP Elizabeth Taylor who spent her life in adultery and enabling proud fags. They cuss her in hell today. #Westboro will picket funeral!"

The Supreme Court recently ruled that the Phelps klan has the right to protest outside the funerals of military personnel killed in action, which has emboldened the family.

"Fred Phelps and his vitriolic anti-gay followers are simply trying to exploit their so-called 'faith' by spreading messages of hate at a time when Americans are grieving the loss of an extraordinary woman, actress and advocate," GLAAD president Jarrett Barrios tells E! News.

"Overwhelmingly, communities of faith are beginning to embrace lesbian, gay bisexual and transgender congregants and sending messages that promote equality for all. GLAAD is urging media to share Elizabeth Taylor's legacy with stories of hope and acceptance, and which highlight her life's work to create a world in which everyone is respected and valued for who they are."

Not to take this lying down, the LGBT community has already begun to take action. Counter protests are being organized via FaceBook. Click here to take part.

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Hollywood Legend, AIDS Activist Elizabeth Taylor Dies at 79

Image via WikipediaABC News has confirmed that two-time Oscar winning actress Elizabeth Taylor has died this morning at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles due to congestive heart failure. She was 79.

In addition to her many professional accomplishments, Taylor was a staunch ally to the gay community and a leader in raising awareness and funds for HIV/AIDS research. She was one of the few in Hollywood to go to Rock Hudson and be with him when news broke of his battle with AIDS. She also helped actor Montgomery Clift come out, at least to himself.

Taylor was married eight times to seven men. She married actor Richard Burton twice. She was the Angelina Jolie of the 1950's when she broke up the marriage of singer Eddie Fisher and America's Sweetheart, Debbie Reynolds.

Via ABC News:

"She was surrounded by her children: Michael Wilding, Christopher Wilding, Liza Todd, and Maria Burton," Taylor's publicist, Sally Morrison, said in a statement.

"My Mother was an extraordinary woman who lived life to the fullest, with great passion, humor, and love," Michael Wilding said in a statement. "Though her loss is devastating to those of us who held her so close and so dear, we will always be inspired by her enduring contribution to our world. Her remarkable body of work in film, her ongoing success as a businesswoman, and her brave and relentless advocacy in the fight against HIV/AIDS, all make us all incredibly proud of what she accomplished. We know, quite simply, that the world is a better place for Mom having lived in it. Her legacy will never fade, her spirit will always be with us, and her love will live forever in our hearts."

In addition to her children, Taylor is survived by 10 grand children and four great grandchildren. Morrison said that a private family funeral will be held later this week. In lieu of flowers, the family asked that contributions be made to the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation and said that those wanting to send personal messages can log on to Taylor's official Facebook page.

Taylor, a two-time Academy Award-winning actress who in later life became notorious for her seven marriages and sometimes eccentric behavior, had reported health problems in recent years and appeared frail in public appearances. Six weeks ago, she was hospitalized with congestive heart failure. Though she had recently suffered a number of complications, her condition had stabilized and it was hoped that she would be able to return home. 

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Celebrity News: Liz Taylor headed for Marriage #9, Dixie Carter Loses Battle with Cancer (video)

US Weekly reports that 78-year-old Oscar-winning actress Dame Elizabeth Taylor is engaged to be married for the 9th time to manager/boyfriend, Jason Wnters, 49. Winters recently signed on as Janet Jackson's new manger. Taylor, who is now largely confined to a wheelchair had said in recent years that she would never marry again.

Liz told gossip columnist Liz Smith that Winters is "one of the most wonderful men I've ever known, that's why I love him."

Actress Dixie Carter loss her battle with endometrial (uterine) cancer on Saturday morning. Carter's husband, actor Hal Holbrook, was by her side. The 70-year-old actress starred in the 80's sitcom "Diff'rent Strokes" but made her mark in the series "Designing Women" as the brassy, "big-shouldered broad" Julia Sugarbaker.

Unlike her TV counterpart, the rabidly liberal Julia Sugarbaker, Carter was a  conservative, Hollywood Republican who embraced her gay fans and delighted in knowing there were so many the many drag performance tributes to her TV alter-ego.

Carter had a recurring role on "Desperate Housewives" as Brie's homicidal mother-in-law, Gloria Hodge during the 2006-07 season.

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