Tributes have begun to flow in for David Astbury, better-known as drag queen Lavinia, a “cornerstone” of Liverpool’s drag scene.

Originally from Wrexham, Lavinia was a well-known part of Liverpool’s queer scene, and she DJ’d at Eberle Street’s GBar for more than two decades. Reports say she died “peacefully at home”.

In an interview with the Liverpool Echo in 2021, Lavinia, who was 64 at the time, recalled starting out in the city aged just 17. 

“When I was young, you’d walk around the city and keep your gob shut,” she said. “Then you’d go into one of the few clubs, and you’d have to walk down a bloody walkway that was about half a mile long to get into it.

“You didn’t just open the doors like: ‘Oh there you go, a gay bar’. A lot of times you went out a different door when you left the club because of people at the front: gay bashers, people calling you names.”

Lavinia also recalled going to Sadie’s, a safe space tucked away above a biker bar. The landlady leant out the kitchen window to shout: “What do you want?” every time someone rang the bell to get in.

‘An inspiration’

GBar posted a tribute on social media, in which they described Lavinia her as the “cornerstone” of Liverpool. 

“Lavinia was an inspiration for all those [who] came [after] her, including The Vivienne who, along with Whitney Wide-On. [They] formed a formidable trio in the modern era, and it cuts extra deep that we’ve lost Viv and Lav in such a short period of time this year.” 

 The Vivienne died in January, at the age of 32.

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Chester Pride also paid tribute to Lavinia, who also performed in the north-west city and in North Wales. 

She was “the star of many venues, not only in Chester but Liverpool, North Wales and beyond,” a spokesperson said. 

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Lavinia’s fans also paid tribute, with one person writing: “RIP, a true Liverpool legend, she played such a part in my queer upbringing.” 

RIP Lavinia

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