Laverne Cox and Amber Riley Join AIDS Foundation

The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation (ETAF) was established in 1991 to fund AIDS organizations and provide direct care to people living with HIV. Elizabeth Taylor, a prominent early celebrity activist against HIV/AIDS, arranged for her trust to cover all of the foundation's operating costs so that 100% of donations go directly to the cause. The "HIV is Not a Crime" initiative aims to modernize laws that criminalize HIV exposure, many of which were enacted in the 1980s and '90s out of fear and misinformation. Currently, 29 states and two U.S. territories have laws that criminalize specific acts by people living with HIV. These laws have been shown to increase stigma and may discourage HIV testing. HIV is Not a Crime Awareness Day was first observed on February 28, 2022, as a collaboration between The Sero Project and The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation. The date was chosen to connect the end of Black History Month and the start of Women's History Month, two groups disproportionately affected by HIV criminalization. Laverne Cox has a long history as a vocal advocate for the rights of transgender people, particularly trans women of color. She has used her platform to speak out against workplace discrimination, homelessness, and gender-based violence affecting the trans community. Amber Riley has been a prominent activist in the Black Lives Matter movement, using her voice to demand justice and encourage others to speak out against racial injustice. She is also a vocal advocate for mental health awareness, openly sharing her own struggles to help others.