Charli XCX and Olly Alexander among musicians pledging trans solidarity in open letter
Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Olly Alexander, and Charli XCX are among the musicians who have signed an open letter in support of trans rights. (Samir Hussein/WireImage/John Phillips/Getty Images/Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)
Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Olly Alexander, and Charli XCX are among the musicians who have signed an open letter in support of trans rights. (Samir Hussein/WireImage/John Phillips/Getty Images/Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)
Charli XCX and Olly Alexander are among the famous musicians who’ve pledged solidarity with the trans community in an open letter.
Last month, the Supreme Court ruled in a landmark case that the the legal definition of a woman excludes trans women and the protected characteristic of “sex” under the 2010 Equality Act refers to biology.
The decision has been backed by prime minister Keir Starmer, who said he was “really pleased” that the judgement had given “much-needed clarity” about the definition of sex.
In response, thousands of protesters have attended rallies against the ruling, with Stonewall CEO Simon Black stating that the ruling “will be incredibly worrying for the trans community”.
The UK’s only out trans judge, Dr Victoria McCloud, has vowed to challenge the ruling at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), stating that the Supreme Court had “failed” to consider how it would affect trans people.
‘We stand with the many voices’
An open letter, started by artist Tom Rasmussen, publicist Tom Mehrtens, Olly Alexander and his manager Martha Kinn, has garnered heaps of support from creatives who have pledged to “stand in solidarity with the trans, non-binary, and intersex communities who have been impacted by the Supreme Court ruling”.
The letter states: “The UK music industry is a vibrant, diverse landscape that thrives on creativity and inclusivity. We have long celebrated a multitude of voices and identities, and the music industry here in the UK is one of our most trailblazing and culturally vital assets – one which trans, intersex and non-binary people are woven into in every aspect of the industry, past, present and future.”
It goes on to call for protection from discrimination and harassment in “all areas of the industry,” adding: “We stand with the many voices who have condemned both the ruling and the EHRC guidance, highlighting the negative consequences that both will have for all individuals and the particular harm that trans, non-binary, and intersex people face as a result.”
The letter, which calls on “influential companies and organisations” — such as independent record labels— to also condemn the ruling, has so far garnered more than 520 signatures, including Charli XCX, Olly Alexander, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, trans ally JADE, Mae Muller, Sugababes’ Siobhán Donaghy, Mabel, and Paloma Faith, to name a few.
In its conclusion, the letter includes links to other ways to show support, compiled by Queer House Party.
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