AEGiS-PRn: Elizabeth Taylor's First In-Depth Print Interview Since Surgery Will Appear in POZ, a Magazine for People with HIV/AIDS; Taylor Re-Asserts Commitment to AIDS Fight, Discusses Near-Death Experiences, Dishes Hollywood and the Betty Ford Center, and Blasts President Clinton for 'Waffling' on Needle Exchange

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1997. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

Elizabeth Taylor's First In-Depth Print Interview Since Surgery Will Appear in POZ, a Magazine for People with HIV/AIDS; Taylor Re-Asserts Commitment to AIDS Fight, Discusses Near-Death Experiences, Dishes Hollywood and the Betty Ford Center, and Blasts President Clinton for 'Waffling' on Needle Exchange

PR Newswire, 810 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10019 - Tuesday September 23 11:00 AM EDT

NEW YORK, Sept. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- Elizabeth Taylor has given her first in-depth print interview since her recent surgery to POZ, a 100,000 circulation national monthly magazine for people affected by AIDS. The magazine hits subscriber mailboxes September 26 and appears on newsstands in early October.

In the exclusive interview, Taylor discusses her private spirituality, her new flat topped gray hair ("my butch do"), her ongoing search for love ("find someone for me!") and her opposition to marriage ("I don't see why anybody of the same sex or the opposite sex in this day-and-age needs to get married.") The interview was conducted by Vanity Fair veteran and POZ Contributing Editor Kevin Sessums. The magazine cover photo is an exclusive new shot of Liz by POZ Contributing Photographer Roddy McDowall.

In her POZ interview, Taylor, the most public and active celebrity in the fight against AIDS, discusses her behind-the-scenes work to promote needle exchange to stop HIV transmission, and blasts President Clinton and HHS Secretary Donna Shalala for their unwillingness to lift the federal ban on these lifesaving programs. Of Shalala, the outspoken Taylor tells POZ, "The fact that she's not (approving needle exchange) in order to get to a higher political seat in her life makes me want to do something... to her own seat."

Turning to Hollywood, Taylor discusses her relationships with friends and co-stars Montgomery Clift ("I knew... he was gay -- probably more than he did. And I helped him with it."), James Dean ("He hadn't made up his mind (about his sexuality)... but he was certainly fascinated by women. He and I twinkled."), and Michael Jackson ("Both of us had really strange childhoods. We have a lot in common that way. And if nobody understands it -- or doesn't dig it -- then tough___!")

Taylor also discusses her serious illnesses, her near-death experiences, and the cruel treatment she experienced at the hands of a counselor during her famous drying out at the Betty Ford Center.

Past POZ cover interviewees have included basketball great Magic Johnson, Broadway composer Jerry Herman, and boxer Tommy Morrison, but Taylor is the first person who is not HIV-positive to appear on the POZ cover in four years of publication. "We felt we owed her that honor," said Executive Editor Sean Strub. "Elizabeth Taylor has set the example for everyone, HIV-positive and negative, about how much one person can do about AIDS."

POZ (as in "positive") is the national news, information, and entertainment magazine for people affected by HIV and AIDS. POZ was a 1997 finalist for a National Magazine Award in the category of General Excellence. POZ is published by POZ Publishing, which also this month is introducing MAMM, a new magazine for women affected by breast and reproductive cancers.

SOURCE POZ Publishing

Copyright (c) 1997/PR NewsWire. Reproduced with permission. Reproduction of this article (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the Permissions Desk, PR Newswire, 810 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10019.
970923
PR970909

Copyright © 1997 - PRNewswire. All rights reserved. Reproduced with permission. Reproduction of this article (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through PRNewswire, Permissions, 810 Seventh Ave., 32nd Floor, New York, NY 10019 http://www.prnewswire.com.

AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, Elton John AIDS Foundation, National Library of Medicine, and donations from users like you.

Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 1997. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.

Copyright ©1980, 1997. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .