David Astbury, known as the Drug Persona Lavinia, passed away “in peace at home.” (Instagram /gbar_archive /gbarliverpool)
The tribute began to play for David Astbury, better known as the drag queen lavinia, the “cornerstone” of Liverpool’s drag scene.
Originally from Wrexham, Lavinia was a famous part of the strange scene in Liverpool, where she DJed on GBAR on Evare Street for over 20 years. According to reports, she passed away “peacefully at home.”
In an interview with Liverpool Echo In 2021, Lavinia, who was 64 at the time, recalls that it started in a town just 17 years old.
“When I was younger, you would roam the city and leave GOBs closed,” she said. “Then, when you enter one of the few clubs, you will have to walk down a bloody aisle about half a mile long.
“We didn’t just open the door like, ‘Oh, you’re going, gay bar.’ Many times, you left another door when you left the club for those in front of you: gay bashers, people calling your name. ”
Lavinia also recalled going to the Saddies, a safe space hidden above the biker bar. The landlady leaned out of the kitchen window and screamed: “What do you want?” Every time someone rings the bell and enters.
“Inspiration”
Gbar paid tribute to social media, where Lavinia described her as the “centrestone” of Liverpool.
“Lavinia was the inspiration for all of them [who] It’s here [after] She is Wide On with Whitney and includes Vivianne. [They] It will form a terrifying trio in modern times and further reduce the loss of VIV and LAV in such a short period of time this year. ”
Vivienne passed away in January at the age of 32.
Chester Pride also paid tribute to the Lavinia, who performed in North West and North Wales.
She was “a star of many venues not just Chester, but Liverpool, North Wales and more,” the spokesman said.
Lavinia fans also paid tribute to one saying, “Liverpool legend Lip, she played such a role in my strange upbringing.”
RIP Lavinia pic.twitter.com/5oee8xuifv
– Liam (@liamlambrini) July 13, 2025
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Source: PinkNews | Latest lesbian, gay, bi and trans news | LGBTQ+ news – www.thepinknews.com
