Scope Charity Ends Partnership with Singing Striders Choir Over Gender Views

Apr 25, 2026, 10:35

Introduction

The charity Scope has cancelled a planned performance by the Singing Striders choir at the upcoming London Marathon. This decision follows concerns about the gender-critical views held by the group's founder.

Main Body

The Singing Striders, a choir that often supports race participants, had been hired by Scope to perform in Woolwich. Although the two groups had worked together successfully in the past, Scope cancelled the agreement after receiving two anonymous complaints about the choir's founder, Janet Murray. Ms. Murray, a journalist and writer, has previously expressed her opposition to gender self-identification and the inclusion of biological males in female-only sports and organizations. Scope's management asserted that Ms. Murray's views conflict with the organization's commitment to diversity and inclusion, particularly for transgender and non-binary disabled people. Chief Executive John McLachlan emphasized that while the charity respects the right to hold different opinions, the way these views are shared can make others feel excluded. As a result, he stated that Ms. Murray is no longer a suitable representative for the charity. On the other hand, Ms. Murray claimed that the choir's goal is purely charitable and not political. She argued that the charity's decision brings political conflict into a space meant for helping others. Furthermore, she described the action as an example of 'cancel culture' and maintained that her personal beliefs are separate from her work with the choir. Meanwhile, London Marathon director Hugh Brasher noted that the event remains inclusive for the general public while protecting women's rights in professional competitions.

Conclusion

The Singing Striders will not perform at the London Marathon due to a disagreement between the founder's views on gender and Scope's inclusion policies.

Vocabulary Learning

assert (v.)
state clearly / to state a fact or belief confidently and forcefully斷言；堅稱
Example:The manager asserted that the company's new policy would benefit all employees.
commitment (n.)
dedication / a promise or firm decision to do something承諾；奉獻
Example:The team's commitment to excellence has led to their recent success in the competition.
conflict (v.)
clash / to be in opposition or disagreement抵觸；衝突
Example:The two reports conflict with each other, making it difficult to find the truth.
maintain (v.)
insist / to express firmly your belief that something is true堅稱；執意認為
Example:Despite the evidence against him, the suspect continued to maintain his innocence.
representative (n.)
spokesperson / a person chosen or appointed to act or speak for others代表
Example:She was chosen as the student representative to speak at the graduation ceremony.

Sentence Learning

The Singing Striders, a choir that often supports race participants, had been hired by Scope to perform in Woolwich.
Relative Clause & Passive Voice: 'that often supports...' defines the choir, while 'had been hired' focuses on the action received.關係子句與被動語態：'that often supports...' 用於定義合唱團，而 'had been hired' 則將重點放在被僱用的動作上。
Although the two groups had worked together successfully in the past, Scope cancelled the agreement after receiving two anonymous complaints about the choir's founder, Janet Murray.
Contrast Linker: 'Although' introduces a concession, contrasting previous success with the current cancellation.對比連接詞：'Although' 引導讓步句，將過去的成功合作與目前的取消決定形成對比。
Chief Executive John McLachlan emphasized that while the charity respects the right to hold different opinions, the way these views are shared can make others feel excluded.
Complex Sentence with 'While': 'While' is used here to balance two opposing ideas within a reported speech structure.包含 'While' 的複合句：在此處 'While' 用於在間接引語結構中平衡兩個相反的觀點。
As a result, he stated that Ms. Murray is no longer a suitable representative for the charity.
Cause and Effect Linker: 'As a result' logically connects the previous reasoning to the final decision.因果連接詞：'As a result' 將前述的理由與最終決定在邏輯上聯繫起來。
Meanwhile, London Marathon director Hugh Brasher noted that the event remains inclusive for the general public while protecting women's rights in professional competitions.
Transition Word & Simultaneous Action: 'Meanwhile' shifts the perspective, and 'while' shows two goals being achieved at once.轉接詞與同步動作：'Meanwhile' 用於轉換視角，而 'while' 則表示兩個目標同時達成。