HIV advocates are meeting in Washington, DC, beginning February 29 for the annual AIDSWatch, the country’s largest HIV/AIDS advocacy event. Participants learn updated facts about the epidemic and then lobby their U.S. Congress members and network with people living with HIV.

Sponsored by the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation, AIDSWatch is organized by the Treatment Access Expansion Project (TAEP), the United States People Living with HIV Caucus (HIV Caucus) and AIDS United.

For the second year, several of Elizabeth Taylor’s grandchildren will participate in AIDSWatch, this time with the specific goal of supporting comprehensive sex education and lobbying for the Real Education for Healthy Youth Act (REHYA).

Before the event kicked off, POZ emailed Laela Wilding, Taylor’s eldest granddaughter, about her participation. Her response:

At AIDSWatch, we are determined to convince our elected officials to expand comprehensive sexual health education federal programs for adolescents throughout the U.S. Nearly half of U.S. teenagers have had sex, often without condoms. People under the age of 25 are the largest age demographic that makes up new HIV infections. How can young people expect to make healthy decisions for themselves without the needed facts? Comprehensive sex education does not increase sexual promiscuity; it simply gives kids the tools they need to make educated and responsible decisions. In addition to accurate information, health educators need to create an atmosphere of acceptance and inclusion for all students, particularly our LGBTQ community.

Wilding also explained why these lobbying efforts and the support for AIDSWatch are in line with Taylor’s legacy:

Our grandmother wanted to lift the curtain on ignorance, bigotry and fear, revealing truth and acceptance. Her utmost concern was raising awareness of issues relating to sex, sexuality, HIV and AIDS, in order to reduce stigma. We are committed to continuing our grandmother’s legacy of love and acceptance—that was the core of her activism. Her determination to reduce stigma, to educate and care for all affected by HIV, lives on through The Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation.

For more about AIDSWatch, including 2016 fact sheets and the event’s agenda, visit aidsunited.org.