A choir has been blocked 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 has often appeared on the sidelines of races, cheering on participants – and had been booked to do similar this time by the charity Scope.
Yet they have been 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.
Choir founder Janet Murray was told her opposition to this is against Scope’s ‘commitment to diversity and inclusion’.
Bosses at the charity said they were ‘concerned’ with her position as they ‘don’t agree’ with her views.
Ms Murray, a journalist and writer, has previously expressed her concerns regarding the inclusion of biological males in women’s sports and organisations like Girlguiding.
It is understood Scope’s decision to cancel the choir came because of two anonymous complaints about Ms Murray’s opinions.
Scope has since defended their decision, saying they are ‘committed to the equality and inclusion of trans and non-binary disabled people’.
The Singing Striders founder Janet Murray (pictured) was told her opposition to this is against Scope’s ‘commitment to diversity and inclusion’
The Singing Striders group (pictured)has often appeared on the sidelines of races, cheering on participants
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.’
Ms Murray added that she leaves politics ‘at home’ when she is with the choir – and emphasised that Singing Striders exists to ‘lift people up’ through difficult moments by raising money for charity.
She said: ‘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.’
The decision to cancel was made despite the Singing Striders having taken part in previous marathons for Scope without any problems.
They had been due to perform at the mile-three cheer point in Woolwich from 8:30am to 1pm, with Scope covering basic travel costs.
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.
It is understood Scope’s decision to cancel the choir came because of two anonymous complaints about Ms Murray’s (pictured) opinions
Over 59,000 participants are getting ready for Sunday’s 26.2-mile race, where the Singing Striders had originally been due to perform at mile three
‘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 getting ready 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.’
