A choir has been told by a disability charity that it will not be welcome at Sunday’s London Marathon because its founder holds gender-critical views.
The Singing Striders have performed at the event on behalf of Scope for the past two years and were booked again for this Sunday.
On Tuesday, choir founder Janet Murray received an email from the charity telling her it no longer wished to have the Singing Striders perform at the marathon.
The email, seen by the BBC, said it was because of “concerns raised” and that everyone involved in Scope events needs to reflect their “commitment to equality and inclusion”.
Scope told the BBC that it “didn’t feel it appropriate” for Murray to represent the charity.
As a journalist, Murray has written extensively on transgender issues, but says she has never brought her views to the choir or to the London Marathon.
“I don’t believe that human beings can change sex, and I believe that women’s spaces and sports should be just for biological women,” said Murray.
Murray feels the whole choir, which regularly performs at charity runs, is being unfairly punished.
“All the singers were really excited about this event,” she said. “I have no idea what they think about any of this, because we’re not about the politics, we’re about music and singing.
[Ed: Subsequent reports indicate the choir was reinstated to but only one member was prepared to do so following the charity’s attack on them.]
Source: London Marathon: Choir dropped by charity Scope over founder’s gender-critical views – BBC Sport