Liverpool City Region’s oldest LGBTQ+ charity, Sahir House, has paid tribute to The Vivienne following the star’s unexpected death on Sunday, January 5th, 2025, at the age of 32.
John Hyland, Community partnerships and individuals lead for Sahir House and a close friend to the drag icon commented; “The Viv just wanted to give back, and that’s what the Viv has always been about, conscious about her star getting brighter and brighter, but always making sure she platformed and gave back to the community, which essentially birthed the Vivienne.
“Whilst James was originally from Colwyn Bay in North Wales, Vivienne was very much born in Liverpool”.
The charity initially started as an HIV charity in response to the aid epidemic in the eighties, as two community groups came together to form Sahir.
The charity supports LGBTQ+ communities and people living with or affected by HIV across the region, creating connections and building brighter, healthier, futures. The charity expanded and founded the programme, “Many Hands One Heart, ” supporting LGBTQ+ seeking asylum.
Charity event (c) Sahir house
James Lee Williams better known as The Vivenne, was famously known for being a British drag queen, competing in the TV show “Dancing On Ice,” starring in musical theatre in London, and winning the very first season of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK back in 2019. The Vivienne was a former supporter of the charity, after reaching out to the charity many years ago in need of support and use of their services. They supported the charity’s work as well as those living with HIV and the wider LGBTQ+ community.
John Hyland added;
” She has definitely in modern times put Liverpool on the map, from an LGBTQ+ perspective, she loved the character work, being able to be creative, giving back and giving platforms to other queens. Vivienne was larger than life one of the big characters, whereas James was very much a people person, and would happily speak to anybody. James was one of the loveliest people you would ever meet”.
A vigil to honour The Vivienne has been announced, taking place at St George’s Hall on Sunday, January 12, at 6.00 pm.
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Featured image (c) Sahir House
