A choir has been barred by a charity from supporting runners at Sunday's London Marathon due to how its founder communicated their gender-critical views. The Singing Striders group, which has frequently appeared on the sidelines of races to cheer on participants, had been booked to do so by the charity Scope. However, they were dropped because of the way one member communicated their views on gender ideology — the idea that gender is not defined by biological sex but rather self-identification.
Founder's Views Lead to Cancellation
Choir founder Janet Murray was informed that her opposition to this ideology conflicts with Scope's 'commitment to diversity and inclusion'. Charity bosses expressed concern over her stance, stating they do not agree with her views. Ms Murray, a journalist and writer, has previously voiced concerns regarding the inclusion of biological males in women's sports and organisations like Girlguiding.
It is understood that Scope's decision to cancel the choir came after two anonymous complaints about Ms Murray's opinions. Scope has since defended their decision, asserting their commitment to the equality and inclusion of trans and non-binary disabled people.
Reaction from the Founder
Speaking to The Telegraph, Ms Murray said: 'When cancel culture finds its way into something as joyful as a choir singing for marathon runners, it's a sobering reminder of how insidious it can be.' She added that she leaves politics 'at home' when with the choir and emphasised that Singing Striders exists to 'lift people up' through difficult moments by raising money for charity. 'Ironically, it's Scope that's brought politics into a space that was simply about supporting charity runners — effectively silencing a choir in the process,' she stated.
The cancellation occurred despite the Singing Striders having participated in previous marathons for Scope without any issues. They had been scheduled to perform at the mile-three cheer point in Woolwich from 8:30am to 1pm, with Scope covering basic travel costs.
Scope's Statement
In a statement, Scope chief executive John McLachlan said the charity understands and respects 'the right of people to hold different views' regarding inclusion and gender. However, he added: 'The way these views are communicated matters, especially when they alienate others. As such, we didn't feel it appropriate for her [Janet Murray] to volunteer to represent Scope. We made this decision because it reflects where we stand as an organisation and our commitment to our colleagues, volunteers and supporters.'
This year's London Marathon is set to see a record-breaking number of finishers, surpassing last year's high of 56,640. Over 59,000 participants are preparing for Sunday's 26.2-mile race, where the Singing Striders had originally been due to perform at mile three.
Event director Hugh Brasher told the BBC he was not familiar with Ms Murray's individual case but said 'the London Marathon is incredibly protective of women's rights, and we do that through the elite event'. He added: 'When it comes to the mass, we are as inclusive as we can be and therefore we try and get that mix right.'
