Hi, my name is Allyballybee!
Hello, I’ve seen you have banned the Singing Striders from supporting those running the London Marathon for Scope this weekend. This is because their founder, Janet Murray, does not believe men can become women.
I’ve supported Scope for many years. You are also beneficiaries in the will I’ve recently made. I’m now going to remove you from that and shan’t support you in future. You are in breach in the Equality Act 2010 and I cannot support an organisation that discriminates against women.
This is not a good look, Scope.
Comments
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I don't believe men can become woman either, but is there not perhaps a little more to this story, something you haven't mentioned?
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Totally agree, this is a shocking decision from Scope, and should lead to the decision maker John Mclellan being sacked or leaving his post. A really bad decision
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For those that wish to read further, giving all sides for fairness so people can make up their own minds:
https://m.facebook.com/courageouswithjanetmurray/
I too am dismayed at this decision and think the Chief Executive of Scope has gotten it wrong. Really wrong.
I'll be taking some time to consider my continued participation on the Scope forum as I believe quite strongly in the rights of women, which this decision seeks to suppress. I don't know if I can align myself with the brand any more.
Especially as a disabled biological women, same sex spaces are especially important when you are vulnerable twice over. The law agrees with me having the right to those spaces, but in light of this decision perhaps not Scope.
The buck stops with the Chief Executive - he is the Scope representative.
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Nope. She didn’t say “men can’t be women” in a kind enough way. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/athletics/articles/c80m8yv530yo
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You are now at risk of being sued as you are in breach of the EA 2010. I fount your supporters would welcome having to foot the bill for a costly lawsuit.
Yours appears to be the Banarama defence - it ain’t what you say, it’s the way that you say it.
Stop tone policing women.
If a disabled and vulnerable woman wanted a female carer would you call them a bigot and refuse to support them. If you support their right to choose, then you have agreed that men are not and cannot be women, despite their belief. What is your position?[This post has been edited in line with our house rules]
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This is such a regressive move! Does this man think the Law Lords were wrong last April?
Men don't get to dictate what "inclusion" means; it certainly doesn't mean silencing and excluding women.
Scope states "We understand and respect the right for people to hold differing views about gender and inclusion." Clearly not.
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Scope states "However, the way these views are communicated matters, especially when they alienate others. As such we didn’t feel it appropriate for her to volunteer to represent Scope."
BBC states: 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.
😣
As a journalist, Janet Murray has raised legitimate concerns around the preservation of safe spaces for young girls and young women. THAT IS OUR RIGHT!!! If this causes men to feel 'alienated', how is this our responsibility!? Two anonymous complaints led to that decision.
What an outrageous "way.. (to) ..communicate matters.."
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Please don't delete my comments. We need to be allowed this debate.
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Call me picky but I've been saying for most of the last 16 years that the Equality Act wants scrapping anyway, no government since it came in has ever enforced it IMO.
The worst thing is, the Labour government are trying to force ALL disabled people to get a job which is completely contradictory to any and all aspects of the EA, more to the point, I've met, lived with and currently live with a myriad of disabled people who could no more go out and work than I could dress up as Superman and fly around saving people.
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What has that got to do with biological woman feeling marginalised?
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A man can become a trans women, not a biological women. That shouldn't be controversial? I totally refuse to engage with the 'persons with a womb' nonsense. Could they in fact mean a woman? 🤔
Surely equality doesn't mean losing touch with reality?
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However, the way these views are communicated matters, especially when they alienate others
The Singing Striders founders views were not manifested as part of her volunteering work for you, which was singing in a choir during the London Marathon for the last two years.
Her gender critical views are public in other forums but they are not only perfectly legal but also known to be held by a large portion of the public. Perhaps the majority of the public.
So, in effect you are making an institutional judgment on the allowable views for volunteers with Scope to have.
I think this leaves potential volunteers in a bind. In all sincerity, can you make clear at some time in the future on your website what other legally held views you do not want volunteers to publicly express outside their volunteer work with you?
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Updated statement
Personally, I'm leaning towards it never should have happened in the first place 👎🏻
But hopefully, it gives other organisations pause for thought in the future.
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So Scope have decided to restore their invitation to the Choir to attend the marathon tomorrow and perform.
It should never have been an issue.
Only two anonymous complaints were made.
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Thank you very much Kimi and Bluebell 👏👏
I hope we'll see a new announcement on this forum tomorrow Scope!
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Allyballybee
I nearly forgot to thank you for bringing this to the Scope forum today! I learned of this from you.
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This was a bad decision to have made in the first place. It makes me question the ability of the decision makers to enact fairness and common sense.
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Is John McLachlan still the Interim CEO. Appointed 1st April 2026 - Was it an April Fool joke? WHO do Scope actually represent? I wrote to the Trustees yesterday. Outrageous - is it a Scope policy to SILENCE??
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You’re welcome. I’m glad to see that common sense has prevailed, though describing the view that men cannot become women as “highly polarising” and potentially “deeply upsetting and alienating” is outrageous and doesn’t give me confidence that they understand the law or women’s rights!
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