Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, The Singing Striders choir have performed on behalf of disability charity Scope at the last two London Marathons
ByJane Dougall BBC Sports Correspondent- Published12 minutes ago
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.
"They've looked at my personal social media and seen that I've been reporting on girl guiding and the Women's Institute - looking specifically at changes in the rules around boys and males not being allowed to take part, so I do feel [the charity's decision] is based on that."
Scope chief executive John McLachlan, in a statement to the BBC, said: "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 [Janet Murray] to volunteer to represent Scope."
The LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall has been contacted for comment.
Image source, Janet MurrayImage caption, Janet Murray says she and her choir have been stopped from singing at the London Marathon because of her gender-critical views
Murray says she had a phone call with McLachlan, who she claims said there had been two anonymous complaints made against her.
"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 added.
"I tried to ask what he meant by that. Was he worried that I was going to shout something out, or bring a banner? But that didn't seem to be the case.
"I try and keep my professional life separate from this choir, which is a hobby. I would never bring any views that might impact negatively on anyone else."
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.
"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 kind of views. It's meant to silence you. It's meant to make you think twice about speaking up."
London Marathon expected to have record number of finishers
This year's marathon is expected to have a record number of finishers, beating the previous best of 56,640, set last year.
More than 59,000 runners will be preparing for Sunday's 26.2-mile race - at which the Singing Striders had been scheduled to perform on mile three.
London marathon event director Hugh Brasher said he didn't know about Murray's specific 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."
The London Marathon does not allow transwomen to compete in elite, championship and 'good for age' female races, in accordance with World Athletics guidelines introduced in 2023.
Transwomen are able to compete in the mass participation event and can self-select which sex category they want to compete under on the ballot.
