Winn Austin - A Celebration & Show of Support

Join us on Saturday 22nd October as we celebrate and support Trans icon Winn Austin.

Having recently been evicted from her home, we're asking that Camden Council approaches Ms Winn's case with sensitivity and knowledge. A Black trans women should not be isolated away from the community and safe environment that she has built around her.

By holding this event we hope to highlight the issues, not only with the rental system, but also the blanket approach that Camden Council has taken to one of its constituents that doesn't reflect its own diverse ideals.

However the night is not about being a victim, it's a celebration of Winn's persistence and defiance in the face of adversity. There'll be talks, times to dance and a bar throughout the night!

The profit from the ticket sales will go to support Winn navigate the uprooted nature of being evicted.

If you'd like to attend but can't afford the entry price please email us at info@vfdalston.com

If you can't attend but would still like to help in some way, there's a donation option on this page as well!

About Winn Austin

'Ms Austin is a well-known figure in the trans world having worked in top nightclubs in the West End and across the world, most notoriously as hostess of the Kinky Gerlinky that attracted 1990s icons like Boy George, Leigh Bowery and Vivienne Westwood.

She also played a she-devil in an operatic vampire show which was written by Janet Street Porter and Nigel Finch and was the subject of a Channel 4 documentary, Gender Benders.'

Tom Foot (Camden News Journal)

In addition to working clubs and stages Winn has also volunteered at Age UK Camden for 5 years.

Her volunteer work has also been present at fundraising events for groups such as Stonewall Housing, The Outside Project and Opening Doors London.

Winn was also one of the subjects of the documentary Beyond There's Always A Black Issue Dear which explored and celebrated Black LGBT identities ‘to demarcate the huge influence that Black LGBT culture has had upon Fashion, Fine Art, Dance, Music and Language, much of which has been appropriated by the cultural mainstream.’

Eviction & A Call For Understanding From Camden Council

Winn has lived in the borough of Camden for 30 years, a neighbourhood that she grew to know well. However after 28 years in her home the Landlord has claimed the property. The insecurities of the rental market has compounded tenant rights and options available, so Winn is seeking rehousing with Camden Council.

However the housing offered (In Sid Cup, Potters Bar, Tottenham) all isolate her from not only her community, family and work but also the years of knowledge knowing the streets of Camden and ways to navigate away from danger.

We ask Camden Council to review its policies concerning rehousing LGBTQ+ people safely.