APN Magazine, 'Lily of the Scally. The other side of Liverbird Lily Savage'

APN was a local magazine largely focused towards the gay and lesbian communities of the North West. It featured a mixture of articles and listings for events, venues and services for lesbian and gay readers. This edition, printed in January 1997, features Lily Savage on the front cover. The character of Lily was created by gay, Birkenhead-born performer Paul O’Grady when he worked in London gay clubs in 1978 and is based on his Liverpool-Irish Catholic female relatives. As Lily, O’Grady was able to speak out about issues affecting the LGBT community, especially the media’s portrayal of HIV/AIDs, and against the homophobic Section 28. O’Grady found mainstream success as Lily in the 1990s, as a presenter on the Big Breakfast (1995-1996), Blankety Blank (1997-2002) and Lily Live! (2000-2001). The magazine also features an article about the murder of 24 year old Nelson Asu who was found dead in his Toxteth home, 25 November 1996, in what is believed to have been a homophobic murder. Nelson had worked as a model in Liverpool, featuring in many shows for Garlands nightclub. After his murder the club staged a fashion show raising over £1100 in his memory.