29 Comments
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Anashka's avatar

Wowwww

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Anashka's avatar

Regardful tributes to him

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Bertsyview's avatar

Beautiful tribute

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Justin Myers's avatar

Thank you

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Ambermoggie's avatar

A fabulous tribute to a great guy. Thank you. He will be missed

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Justin Myers's avatar

Cheers!

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Neil McCulloch's avatar

My introduction to the London scene in 1987 and my politicisation was quickly turbocharged by nights at the RVT, and the ascerbic Lily (and Regina Fong, another taken too soon). Thank you for writing this

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Justin Myers's avatar

Thank you for reading!

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Charlotte Ross's avatar

I don’t often get teary about the death of someone I really don’t know, have never interacted with, but Paul O’Grady always seemed to me to be authentically himself, all the way through. I loved that he stayed furious about the things that still made him furious, that he said what was important, that he was funny, good hearted and clearly liked people. I am really sad that the world doesn’t get to enjoy & love him a bit longer. But I’m very glad that he lived. For everyone. (And I’m very glad for your writing about him, so thank you x)

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Justin Myers's avatar

Thank you. We were lucky to share the planet with him, brief as it was.

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Chris B's avatar

What a beautiful piece and brought a tear. My coming out as an 18 year old during Thatcher’s clause 28 era was made more defiant thanks to Lily Savage. Paul will be sorely missed by all of us who grew up in his shadow.

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Justin Myers's avatar

Thank you. The 1980s were a hellscape – I'd rather hoped we wouldn't see their like again.

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louise's avatar

Beautiful piece, thank you. You do Paul proud

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Justin Myers's avatar

That's v kind of you, cheers

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Rachel's avatar

Thank you too. Brilliantly written and a pleasure to read.

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Justin Myers's avatar

I'm so glad to hear it, thank you!

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Chloe Wittet's avatar

This should be his official obituary. I didn’t know him well but now I feel like I do! What a great loss for us all.

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Justin Myers's avatar

We're all the poorer for his absence. Cheers for reading.

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Nathalie's avatar

I have never had the pleasure of seeing them but by all accounts - and yours is one - a wonderful person altogether.

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Justin Myers's avatar

A proper one-off, I reckon.

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First Mobile Music's avatar

A wonderful tribute, thank you Justin

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Justin Myers's avatar

Thank you for reading!

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Conrad Quilty-Harper's avatar

What a wonderful read.

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Justin Myers's avatar

Cheers, Conrad!

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Josie George's avatar

Justin is this beautiful beautiful beautiful x

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Justin Myers's avatar

Thank you so much Josie! x

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Emma's avatar

This is beautiful writing. You at your best.

At a time when to be openly gay was to be feared by mainstream straight society Paul was unashamedly himself. Brave, funny as fuck and a thoroughly decent human being. We need more like him.

I cried yesterday, mourning someone I'd never met, because compassion and humanity reach people through a screen, or on a page.

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Justin Myers's avatar

Thank you very much. It's quite hard to put into words just how refreshing and inspiring it was to have someone like Paul O'Grady out there giving everyone hell. I'm not overly nostalgic but it does feel like we've lost something pure and powerful from a different time.

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Mar 30, 2023
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Justin Myers's avatar

Haha yes they're brilliant. Whether as Lily or himself, he was always so quick, and had a line ready for any occasion.

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