Author Juno Dawson helped raise money for Trans Pride Brighton this week as Brighton's Birdcage Bar launched a new fundraising initiative supporting LGBTQ+ and HIV charities.
The bestselling author appeared at the venue on Thursday evening for an "In Conversation" event, where she discussed her life and career with interviewer Gossip Guy in front of a live audience.
The event also marked the launch of The Birdcage's new Community Cocktails scheme, which will raise money for four local organisations: Trans Pride Brighton, Queerwell, Lunch Positive and The Sussex Beacon.
As part of the evening, Juno sold signed author copies from her personal collection, with all proceeds donated directly to Trans Pride Brighton. Organisers have now confirmed that the book sale raised £267 for the trans-led charity.
Guests heard Dawson discuss a wide range of topics, from her writing process and literary career to Doctor Who and the fantasy elements that have become a hallmark of some of her most popular novels.
The event coincided with the launch of four specially created cocktails, each inspired by one of the partner organisations. While each drink celebrates a different charity, £5 from every £10 cocktail sold will be placed into a shared community fund and distributed equally among all four groups.
The collection includes Cherry Queerwell, inspired by the mental health charity Queerwell; Liquid Lunch, celebrating HIV support organisation Lunch Positive; Beacon Blush, a non-alcoholic cocktail supporting The Sussex Beacon; and Trans Pride Punch, created in honour of Trans Pride Brighton.
Sean Pettit-Scheepers, managing director of The Birdcage, said the venue wanted to create a fundraising initiative that reflected Brighton's long tradition of LGBTQ+ community support. "We could not think of a more fitting way to launch our Community Cocktails than by bringing people together for an evening with Juno Dawson and raising additional funds for Trans Pride Brighton," he said.
"The Birdcage was created to be more than somewhere to have a drink. It was built as a space where Brighton's LGBTQ+ community could feel welcome, celebrated and genuinely at home."
He added that the initiative was designed to allow customers to support community organisations while enjoying a night out. "Brighton's LGBTQ+ venues have always been about more than nightlife. They are places where community is built, friendships are formed and people find a sense of belonging."
The four charities supported through the scheme represent different parts of Brighton's LGBTQ+ community infrastructure. Queerwell provides mental health and wellbeing services for LGBTQ+ people, while Lunch Positive offers food, friendship and peer support for people living with HIV. The Sussex Beacon delivers specialist HIV care and support, and Trans Pride Brighton organises one of the UK's largest Trans Pride events while promoting visibility and equality for trans, non-binary and intersex communities.
Juno Dawson, one of Britain's best-known trans authors, has become a leading voice in LGBTQ+ literature through books including This Book Is Gay and the bestselling Her Majesty's Royal Coven series.
The Community Cocktails range will remain available at The Birdcage following the launch event, creating an ongoing source of fundraising for the four organisations.
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