Global stars Charli XCX, JADE, Shygirl and Florence Welch, sign an ‘open letter’ in solidarity with the trans community to pressure their industry to “ensure” the safety of trans collaborators
Over 400 UK artists and music industry workers have signed an open letter pledging solidarity with the trans community, including Britain’s biggest names, including Charli XCX and former Little Mix band member, JADE.
Following the UK Supreme Court’s ruling, the trans community and allies have stormed to socials to protest the exclusion of trans people from public spaces, specifically bathrooms.
Titled the ‘Open Letter of solidarity to the trans community from the UK Music Industry,’ the letter highlights the impact made on the trans, non-binary, and intersex communities following the Supreme Court ruling. The collective wish to add their voices to “the growing chorus of concern”, made up of well-known UK writers, film and television professionals and journalists.
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Amongst them are a list of household names, including Dua Lipa, Ellie Golding and Mabel. Additional signatures were given by Olly Alexander (Years and Years); Rina Sawayama; Florence Welch (Florence & the Machine); Mura Masa, Shygirl, and Little Mix’s JADE, Perrie Edwards and Leigh-Anne Pinnock.
The letter states: “The UK music industry is a vibrant, diverse landscape that thrives on creativity and inclusivity”. It continues to recognise how Western society has “long celebrated a multitude of voices and identities,” with the British music industry being one of the “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”.
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The letter urges influential business and trailblazers within the music field to “ensure that trans, non-binary, and intersex colleagues, collaborators, and audiences are protected from discrimination and harassment in all areas of the industry – whether in studios, at venues, in offices, or at festivals”.
The open letter declares that the Supreme court ruling “not only undermines the lived reality” of the UK’s non-cis community (those who’s gender identity aligns with their sex) “but also weakens legal protections at a time when trans people face rising hate crime, discrimination, and systemic barriers”.
The collective share that they stand in solidarity with those who have “condemned” the Equality Human Rights Commission (EHRC) guidance, which actually “exposes trans people to embarrassment and harassment, ultimately excluding and seeking to erase them from participation in public life”.
The letter concludes, saying: “Music has the power to unite, to inspire, and to reflect the richness of the human experience”. In an effort to further draw people to the cause, they added: “This is our moment to amplify voices that need to be heard, to champion inclusivity and real justice, and to ensure that our industry remains a welcoming and trailblazing space for everyone. Let us stand on the side of truth, equality, and respect”.
UK music industry professionals can sign via this form.