Tag: equality

An open letter from The Pink Singers on trans rights

This morning we have sent the following letter to Members of Parliament, the Ministers for Women and Equalities and Health and Social Care, the Equality and Human Rights Commission, Women and Equalities Select Committee, and Joint Committee on Human Rights:

We are writing to you to express our disappointment and concerns regarding “An interim update on the practical implications of the Supreme Court judgment” published on 25th April 2025 by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) following the Supreme Court judgment in For Women Scotland.

This guidance is concerning because it threatens trans people’s access to services and spaces, thereby undermining trans people’s right to dignity and autonomy. We are deeply concerned about the lack of proper consideration of trans people’s rights and voices in the EHRC interim update, given it was issued just nine days after the Supreme Court judgment and appears to espouse set views prior to the conclusion of the consultation (see the Good Law Project challenge of the interim update). Not only did the EHRC not consult with the trans or broader LGBT+ community before releasing this guidance; the Supreme Court did not allow any evidence to be heard from the trans community during the proceedings in For Women Scotland despite several requests from prominent trans rights organisations and trans individuals. This shows that the Supreme Court ruling in For Women Scotland, and the subsequent interim guidance by the EHRC are not based on consideration of factual evidence or the real experiences of trans individuals, but on unfounded claims fuelled by bigotry. This should be a concern not only to trans people in the UK, but to every citizen who believes in democracy.

The negative impact of the ruling and guidance are reflected in the latest ILGA-Europe Rainbow Map. This map ranks the legal and policy landscape for LGBTQ+ people across Europe, in which the UK – previously a leader – has dropped to an all-time low position of 22 out of 49. We write to you therefore as a registered LGBT+ charity, but also as individuals, both trans people and trans allies, to express our concern for how this guidance will have a devastating impact in our community if put in place, and to ask you to act on the interests of your constituents and the democratic values in which this country takes pride.

The Pink Singers are the UK and Europe’s oldest mixed LGBTQ+ choir, founded in 1983. We were created to bring visibility to queer lives and represent the basic truth that “we are everywhere”, which we do by singing to the public across the UK and abroad. As well as performing music, our wider objectives include promoting equality and diversity by raising awareness, fostering understanding between people from diverse backgrounds, and celebrating the diversity of LGBT+ lives. For our members we are first and foremost a community, and we provide a safe space for people of a wide range of queer identities with a shared love of music-making to meet together every week in a way that is mutually supportive and affirming.

While in 1983 we were originally called a “Lesbian and Gay” choir, identities outside of this nominal binary were always a part of our community. Just as the “Gay community” in the 1970s did not only include cisgender homosexuals, but rather a wide range of queer identities that are better-described today, so our designation has evolved over the decades to better represent the existing reality of our community. Trans women took part in the vanguard of queer activism as part of the UK Gay Liberation Front in the early 1970s alongside choir members that still sing with us today. Some of our first members in 1983 were openly bisexual and polyamorous and questioned the constraints of gender roles, performing in drag. We worked with and performed alongside trans artists in the 1980s, and we have had openly trans and non-binary members singing in the choir since the 1990s. We also have members who are asexual, disabled, and of a wide range of ages, abilities and ethnicities. In 2009, we formally recognised the value of this diversity and intersectionality of our identities in our constitution, so that today we are a proudly LGBT+ organisation, and inclusion and access is at the core of our charity and the way we operate for our members’ benefit. Our trans and non-binary members bring value, creativity and originality, and are loved and integral to our diverse community, providing direction and taking on leadership roles. 

Within the UK LGBTQ+ choral community we are leaders in our sector and proudly represent queer identities in music and British society. In recent years we have been nominated for an award by the Royal Philharmonic Society, one of our members has received an MBE for their services in founding the UK & Ireland LGBTQ+ choral network and leading the Pink Singers in originating Hand in Hand – the UK’s LGBTQ+ choral festival – and in 2023, we performed at the Coronation Concert and celebrated our 40th anniversary with the support of the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Our many achievements would not be possible without the expertise and contributions of our members, and the wider support we receive through engagement with society and operating in the public sphere. We operate in a way that benefits society but also respects our members, a community of people of a range of sexualities and genders that celebrate each other’s differences and lived identities, and who coexist happily sharing space together in private and in public. 

It is of great concern to us therefore that this interim update should seek to ‘police’ how we use facilities and divide us into categories that will put our members at risk of harm. We perform regularly in public venues around the UK, and have a duty to ensure that our members’ needs are respected when engaging with society, and in the spaces that host us. This update puts the safety of our members at risk, creating a hostile environment in public venues and facilities, and culturally ostracising trans people in UK society. The effects of this guidance will drive a wedge between the trans community and the wider public, fostering hate and division, when we should be promoting unity and safety.

We know from experience the effects of bad policy on our community. This interim update is eerily reminiscent of Section 28, the clause in the Local Government Act 1988 that banned the ‘promotion’ of homosexuality by local authorities. We have not forgotten the impact of this notorious clause: we advocated for its abolition throughout the 1990s, witnessing the harm it caused to a generation of queer people until its repeal in 2003. Trans people along with many others in our own community were directly affected by the culture of silence and oppression during this era, and in some cases assaulted by members of the public. We learned about many different ways the clause affected us in more detail recently through interviews with our members featured in our podcast series Sing It Pink. Since the recent ruling and update were published, we are once again witnessing the negative effects in real time. Our members are concerned and frightened for the future. Two of our members have already been verbally assaulted by unknown members of the public in the last few weeks in relation to trans rights and identities. That our community is yet again on the receiving end of a spike in hate crimes as a consequence of the actions of institutions who are supposed to protect the rights of minorities in 2025 seems unbelievable; causing further harm to yet another generation of trans people would be a travesty. 

We urge you to step up and use your platform to represent the realities of the UK’s diverse and mutually supportive LGBTQ+ community, which in our experience bears no resemblance to the hatred and division worn by the right-wing advocates whose views have been adopted in creating this interim update, without consulting anyone in the trans community or any long-established LGBTQ+ organisations. We call for the interim update to be rescinded and for the EHRC to fulfil its mission as an independent equality and human rights regulator pursuant to section 3 of the Equality Act 2006, by protecting trans people’s dignity and rights and undertaking a full and fair consultation with the UK trans community ahead of any legislative change. If you would like to see what a real LGBTQ+ community looks like in 2025, we invite you to visit us and speak with us, or come to one of our concerts. 

May we thank you for taking the time to read this letter and we look forward to hearing from you.

Rebecca Smithson & Tom Phillips, Chair & Chair of Trustees

on behalf of

The Pink Singers

London’s LGBT+ Community Choir

UK Registered Charity, No.1190317

12 DAYS OF FREEDOM IN 32 YEARS!

It’s hard to believe that a month has passed already since our Indian friends from Rainbow Voices Mumbai arrived on our shores and created a rainbow rollercoaster of excitement, pride, and amazing memories for us all. RVM’s Ashish describes his experience… 
July 6th, 2017 marked in my calendar is one of the most memorable days of my 32 years of life. The first time ever I flew across oceans and lands so far beyond my reach to explore freedom and equality. I had never thought this back in July 2016, that my next summer would be full of excitement, learning and love.
It was conceived when the Pink Singers came to India in January 2017 for Mumbai Pride and our ‘We Shall Overcome’ concert, to support Rainbow Voices Mumbai and the Indian LGBT community to fight for our rights. In January, we mingled, loved, and sang together to a packed audience at the NCPA theatre in Mumbai. The concert was a medium to create awareness and educate people about the hurdles we face in India due to Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code (which criminalises homosexual activity, introduced under British Rule in 1860). It was one mammoth task for a choir as young as ours to host Europe’s longest running community choir; we managed it successfully and learnt quite a few lessons in organising a standalone concert, which now seems to be a permanent part of the Mumbai Pride Calendar.
We were high on emotions and warmth extended by the Pink Singers and equally mesmerised with the musical abilities of the choir. We were amazed how spot on, entertaining and thoroughly convincing they were with the message they brought with them. I still remember Murray Hipkin, the Musical Director saying, “We have not come to fix anything; probably we can’t fix anything for you, but what we can do is to support you in all possible ways to revert section 377.”
The words were more soothing and actions were even more, when after the concert the Chair of the Pink Singers – affectionately known as ‘Cher’ – Simon Pearson, made the announcement of inviting Rainbow Voices Mumbai to London Pride and to take part in their summer concert. We were overwhelmed with the gesture and yet a bit lost with things that needed to be done! Constant encouragement and successful fundraising by the Pink Singers made the impossible possible for 10 of us (sadly the other eight couldn’t make it because of visa issues!).

Ashish & ‘Cher’

With hopes high and dreams in our eyes, we flew to the land of freedom and equality. The tour started with each of us being hosted by a few of the Pink Singers, which gave us the chance to see and learn how independent lives of gay men and women are, in contrast to India – where we don’t choose to live alone even if we are grown up enough to be married off!
On arrival, my host Simon came to the terminal to receive me, despite his fractured ankle. This gesture of his shows how dear and encouraging was their approach to us. It was my first international trip and it seemed to me a different world: new weather, time zones, people, culture and systems; I was in awe of every little thing I saw. First what struck me was platform 9¾ at Kings Cross! Being a Potterhead, I was enthralled to see it. As I walked the streets with Simon I saw a Pride flag along with the British Flag waving with pride in the front of the British Library – this reaffirmed my belief that equality and freedom are not merely words here, they actually mean it.

Exploring London from the London Eye

My dear friend Hsien met me and we were off to Canary Wharf for a lovely lunch, but before that the Thames Clipper just wowed me! Like a kid in a candy store I was in love with the skyline and monuments on both the side of the river, clicking pictures and noticing the P-flag everywhere we went. A new city, new day,  even jet-lag couldn’t deter my spirits and we explored a few parts of the Naval College and Greenwich.
I believe that destiny had bigger plans for us: we never had heard about anything as big as London Pride and we all were excited to take part. We vogued in style with our Rainbow t-shirts, painted ourselves with rainbows and were ready for the world’s biggest party. As we were waiting for the Pride march to begin I saw people from all walks of life, races, professions and ages joining this mega event. We have never seen such a phenomenon back home; instead we are judged by the people for gathering and walking the Pride march in Mumbai.

London Pride 2017

As we marched up to Trafalgar Square, we saw people waving, cheering us on and even calling for a hug from the other side of the barricades. Such love, acceptance and cheer filled all of us with positivity and re-affirmed that we are walking on the right path to attain freedom and equality for all of us. Then came the moment to go on the Pride main stage where we were to perform to the largest crowd we have ever performed in front of. The moment I addressed the crowds with ‘Namaste’, a huge cheer and ‘Namaste’ I heard back, and the crowd was moved with our rendition of ‘We Shall Overcome’ in English and Hindi. I could see a few in tears when they learned that section 377 criminalizes homosexual activities in India. I think, I was nervous but I knew this was the only time I could talk to London as a city and made sure that I spoke right and conveyed the purpose of our visit.
London has different colours during pride and our friends the Pink Singers made sure we got the best of London and also that we got opportunities to meet the ones who had supported our trip  such as eBay. It was great interacting with the eBay office and we are indebted to them for their support very much.
The city charmed me to the core, whether it was architecture, culture, Soho – the night life for gays was amazing! I watched my first musical ever and my first drag show here in London. The experiences are still sinking in for me and I am unable to really believe that something so surreal happened to me. As we explored, Brighton, Richmond and the city of London, we had so many memorable times with the Pink Singers – singing in parks, at house parties and a lot more.
I had unknowingly become the spokesperson of the choir. I had previous experience of talking to media back home but that was for work. I was told that I was crisp in front of camera and this boosted my confidence even more. In the media coverage – though I am not out as a gay man in India – I did not hide my identity. This is because I got encouragement in my week’s exposure to London and its acceptance; the unwavering support from the Pink Singers filled me with a “come what may” attitude and I put my best foot forward to be heard on all possible platforms. 
The support continued even on the concert stage, when the audience gave the 12 of us a standing ovation before we even started.
I have taken back home  a lot of inspiration, strength, and conviction in what we do and yes, more purpose to the music we do. My hosts Simon and James were the coolest ones and I miss those lanes and bylanes of London… With a dream to come back, I sign off from India!

Photo credit: Jess Rowbottom

From Queer To Eternity

This summer, we returned to Cadogan Hall for a sizzling evening of choral music to mark 50 years since the decriminalisation of homosexuality. Our repertoire was drawn from LGBT composers and performers as well as music that has been meaningful to these communities.

Entitled ‘From Queer to Eternity’ – Songs of Struggle and Celebration, the evening covered music from a rich variety of styles and genres including artists such as Leonard Bernstein, Dusty Springfield, Queen, Erasure, Joan Armatrading, Mika, Radiohead, George Michael, Lady Gaga and Christine and the Queens. Classical numbers included a rousing chorus by Handel and a moving spiritual by Michael Tippett.

From Queer To Eternity, 15 July 2017, Cadogan Hall Featuring special guests, Rainbow Voices Mumbai and Out Aloud Sheffield Photo credit: Jess Rowbottom

We were delighted to be sharing the stage with two special guests choirs: Out Aloud from Sheffield, and – to highlight the work being done around the world on legalising homosexuality, as part of a year-long exchange project – we were also joined by Rainbow Voices Mumbai, India’s first LGBT choir.

Timeline datestamp: 15 July 2017

Hello, my name's Claire and I'm a lesbian.

What does it mean to be part of the LGBTQ community? Why is there a need for one? Our next concert – on 15th July – seeks to explore this, as we mark 50 years since the decriminalisation of homosexuality. In the run up to the show, which we’ve called ‘From Queer to Eternity‘,  alto Claire shares what being part of the LGBTQ community means to her…
Lesbian.  It’s a word.  It’s a word that I use to describe myself.  I’ve used this word to describe myself for a long time, but truly it is only the last few years that I wear this word like a layer of skin; an epidermis; a fully functioning part of myself that exists in peace rather than a badge that gets brought out on occasion.  It’s part of my identity that I share and I don’t care who knows.
I realise I am in a fortunate position – this country has come a long way to protect the rights of LGBTQ people and the way the community is perceived.  Growing up in Thatcher’s Britain, there was Section 28, homophobic mainstream media, no positive gay role models on TV that I could identify with, the word ‘lesbian’ thrown around my classroom like a shameful slur…. In short, growing up as a gay kid in the 80’s was a lonely experience. To quote the fine words of Skunk Anansie, ‘It takes blood and guts to be this cool, but I’m still such a cliché’.     
I think it is human nature to reach out to others like yourself and being part of the LGBTQ community, I have done just that: joining the Pink Singers (coming up to 15 years now..  eeek!) not only normalised my gayness but I have also been blessed with amazing friendship, companionship, laughter, LGBTQ campaigning buddies (home and abroad), and compassion – all wrapped up in a big glitterball of song and sparkle.
By being part of the LGBTQ community I have had the opportunity to perform and campaign all over the world: Iceland, France, Ireland, Denmark and more recently, India.  I feel it is my duty as part of this community to campaign for the rights of our friends abroad who are not as fortunate as we are in the UK; to campaign for equality and to address hate in all forms.  I am so excited to be welcoming our friends from Rainbow Voices Mumbai in July this year to march with us in London Pride and perform with us in London – part of a year long, life changing cultural exchange.
The brief I was given for this blog was ‘how has being LGBTQ changed your life’.  Well, to be honest, it is my life, it is who I am.  But only one part of me: I am also a daughter, sister, friend, lover, singer, performer, colleague, activist, transport nerd, indie tunes enthusiast, fan of drinking tea and dancing (although not necessarily at the same time) and so much more.
Hello, my name is Claire and I am a lesbian.
There’s still time to book tickets to see us and our special guests, Out Aloud from Sheffield and Rainbow Voices Mumbai. Please click here to book!

IDAHOT 2017

This IDAHOT (International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia) day, 17 May, the Pink Singers performed at a private event, to celebrate the achievements of LGBTQ+ staff at the offices of one our long-standing sponsors, EY. It was a wonderful evening, with song and art and a sense of not just acceptance, but welcome, and we were lucky to be a part of it. Alto Zoe shares her thoughts on the day.

Just exactly how lucky we are has been brought home to me and other members of our choir – and the wider LGBTQ+ community – in recent months. The UK in general, and London in particular, is a broadly decent place to be queer or gender non-conforming. Not that that means it doesn’t have its problems – Northern Ireland is still dragging its feet on marriage equality, and violence against members of our community still happens. But we have legal protections and rights, hard won by activists and campaigners over the years, and whatever someone’s private opinion of us might be, they don’t get to use that as a reason to discriminate against us any more, at least not legally speaking.

Contrast that with the situation in Poland – where a concert we’d been invited to take part in was cancelled as none of the venues wanted to be associated with ‘gays’; or the USA, with the interestingly paranoid ‘bathroom bills’ and threats to roll back LGBTQ+ protections; the horrific situation in Chechnya, which seems to keep getting worse, with world governments seemingly reluctant to get involved beyond disapproving frowns – would there be that same reluctance if the target were another minority group, based on skin colour or religion, I wonder?

It’s easy, sometimes, to forget how far we’ve come, especially when you know that despite progress, there are still battles to be fought. So last night, singing with my Pinkie family, surrounded by out and proud guests, with London glittering behind us, I counted my blessings – and readied myself to keep shouting for those who don’t get to enjoy that same sense of welcome.

Timeline datestamp: 17 May 2017