04/24/2026
"Jackson and his iconic contemporaries braved HIV/AIDS stigma by hugging people living with HIV and standing alongside those conveniently 'othered' for a health condition. Their notoriety fostered solidarity, care, awareness, and advocacy while pushing against alienation." - Stephen Hicks
Michael Jackson, who was close friends with actress Elizabeth Taylor, most likely took a cue from Taylor's HIV advocacy and began his own. Taylor was a co-founder of the American Foundation for AIDS Research (amfAR) and its founding international chairman. She corralled many of her connects to join