Tributes Pour In for The Vivienne as Drag Artists Speak Out on Rising Bigotry

The late RuPaul's Drag Race UK winner is remembered at vigils and events, while performers highlight increasing challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community.

• The Vivienne, real name James Lee Williams, passed away on January 5, 2025, at the age of 32, with no suspicious circumstances reported in their death.
• Large crowds gathered in Liverpool for a vigil honoring The Vivienne, with St George's Hall lit in green and emotional tributes from family, friends, and fans.
• Drag artists at RuPaul’s DragCon UK remembered The Vivienne while expressing concern over rising hostility toward the LGBTQ+ community, particularly trans individuals.
• Performers like Danny Beard and Juno Birch described an increase in online abuse and societal scrutiny, attributing it to a resurgence of anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric.
• The Vivienne, celebrated for their groundbreaking appearances on shows like Dancing On Ice and Blankety Blank, was remembered as a beacon of light and a transformative figure for the drag and LGBTQ+ communities.

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