The Singing Striders choir has been dropped by Scope charity from supporting runners at the London Marathon due to the gender-critical views expressed by its founder, Janet Murray. The decision followed anonymous complaints and a determination that her views conflicted with Scope’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.
A choir, The Singing Striders, has been disinvited from providing support to runners at this Sunday’s London Marathon by the disability charity Scope , following concerns raised about the gender-critical views expressed by its founder.
The choir, a regular presence at races offering encouragement to participants, had been booked by Scope to perform at the mile-three mark in Woolwich. However, the arrangement was cancelled after the charity received anonymous complaints regarding the public statements of Janet Murray, the choir’s founder, concerning gender ideology. This ideology posits that gender is a matter of self-identification, independent of biological sex.
Scope communicated to Ms. Murray that her opposition to this concept conflicted with the charity’s stated commitment to diversity and inclusion. The charity’s leadership expressed concern over her publicly held position, stating they did not align with her views. Janet Murray, a journalist and writer, has previously voiced her concerns about the inclusion of biological males in women’s sports and organizations traditionally designated for women, such as Girlguiding.
The decision to remove The Singing Striders was reportedly triggered by two anonymous complaints lodged against Ms. Murray’s expressed opinions. Scope has defended its decision, emphasizing its dedication to the equality and inclusion of transgender and non-binary individuals, particularly those with disabilities. Ms. Murray, speaking to The Telegraph, lamented the intrusion of what she termed ‘cancel culture’ into a traditionally joyful event like a marathon, highlighting its pervasive and insidious nature.
She stressed that she deliberately separates her personal political views from her involvement with the choir, emphasizing that the group’s primary purpose is to uplift and support others through charitable fundraising. She pointed out the irony of Scope introducing a political dimension into an event intended solely to support charity runners, effectively silencing the choir in the process.
The choir had previously participated in several marathons for Scope without incident, and the cancellation came despite a confirmed booking with travel costs covered by the charity. The charity’s chief executive, John McLachlan, acknowledged and respected the right of individuals to hold differing views on inclusion and gender.
However, he underscored the importance of *how* those views are communicated, particularly when they risk alienating others. He stated that Scope deemed it inappropriate for Ms. Murray to represent the organization given her publicly expressed views. This decision, he explained, reflected the charity’s values and its commitment to its staff, volunteers, and supporters. The London Marathon is anticipating a record-breaking number of finishers this year, exceeding last year’s total of 56,640 participants.
Over 59,000 runners are preparing for the 26.2-mile race, where The Singing Striders were originally scheduled to perform. Hugh Brasher, the event director, while unfamiliar with the specifics of Ms. Murray’s case, affirmed the London Marathon’s strong commitment to women’s rights, particularly within the elite competition. He also noted the event’s broader aim to be as inclusive as possible in the mass participation element, striving for a balanced representation of all participants.
The incident has sparked debate about the boundaries of free speech, the responsibilities of charities regarding inclusivity, and the potential for ‘cancel culture’ to impact even seemingly apolitical activities
London Marathon Scope Choir Gender-Critical Inclusion Diversity Cancel Culture
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