A choir that has performed for disability charity Scope at the London Marathon for the past two years has been told it will not be welcome at this Sunday's event because its founder holds gender-critical views.
The Singing Striders, founded by journalist Janet Murray, had been booked to sing at the marathon on behalf of Scope. However, on Tuesday, Murray received an email from the charity stating it no longer wished to have the choir perform. The email cited "concerns raised" and said that everyone involved in Scope events must reflect the charity's "commitment to equality and inclusion."
Scope told the BBC that it "didn't feel it appropriate" for Murray to represent the charity. Murray, who has written extensively on transgender issues, said she has never brought her personal views into the choir or to the 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," she said. "They've looked at my personal social media and seen that I've been reporting on girl guiding and the Women's Institute... so I do feel [the charity's decision] is based on that."
Scope's chief executive, John McLachlan, stated: "We understand and respect the right for people to hold differing views about gender and inclusion. However, the way these views are communicated matters, especially when they alienate others. As such, we didn't feel it appropriate for her to volunteer to represent Scope."
Murray said she had a phone call with McLachlan, who allegedly mentioned two anonymous complaints. "He told me, as I suspected, it was to do with my beliefs on sex and gender, and he said that my presence would be a distraction," she said. "I try to keep my professional life separate from this choir... I would never bring any views that might impact negatively on anyone else."
Murray feels the entire choir is being unfairly penalized. "All the singers were really excited about this event. Because of my views—and they're lawfully held views—they are missing out on this opportunity, and that's the part that is absolutely galling. It's meant to hurt you. Women are routinely punished for expressing these kinds of views. It's meant to silence you."
This year's London Marathon is expected to see a record number of finishers, surpassing last year's 56,640.