On Wednesday, March 11, some of pop’s brightest stars and some of the loudest voices in queer activism are joining forces for Trans Mission, a Live Aid–style concert raising more than just money for the trans community – it’s raising hope.
Chart-topping pop king and queer activist Olly Alexander is leading the charge alongside Glyn Fussell, mastermind behind the world’s leading queer festival, Mighty Hoopla.
After the Supreme Court determined that men and women must be defined by biological sex, Alexander wrote an open letter calling on artists to condemn the ruling and lend their support to the trans community in peril.
Together with Not A Phase and The Good Law Project, that open letter, signed by Dua Lipa, Charli XCX and many others, has now evolved into a huge concert at London’s Wembley Arena, with performances from the likes of Sugababes, Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Adam Lambert, as well as special guest appearances from Sir Ian McKellen, Russell Tovey, Zack Polanski and more.
‘There are many loud anti-trans voices across the media, and we have a government that has rowed back on its commitments to LGBT+ people too, as part of a broader attack on the rights and safety of marginalised communities,’ Olly tells Metro.
‘My hope is that Trans Mission will be a bold statement of unity and solidarity – that we have a voice too, and we’re going to use it for something joyful and positive.
‘One of our key aims with Trans Mission was to show that cis people care about what’s happening, rather than relying solely on trans people to do the work for their community, it’s about building a coalition.
‘I’m really happy that we have such a diverse line-up, we have incredible trans talent as well as cisgender people of all different identities, I’m proud of that.’
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Drag Race UK winner Tia Kofi is among the many speakers at the event next week, and said she was “honoured” to be part of something that will uplift the trans community.
‘The onus should not be on trans people or any marginalised group to do the work alone. As allies, it’s our duty to help amplify their voices and be present.
‘The climate feels really difficult and unsafe for trans people at the moment. A lot of people have created a false narrative around the trans community as a distraction. It’s very standard throughout history to pick a marginalised group, create a dangerous narrative around them and try to focus attention on them.
‘To have an event that creates a safe space full of joy, positivity and uplifting energy is exactly what’s needed. We’re calling people in, not out, and simply asking for trans people to be treated as you would anyone else. We have some incredible artists performing and using their platforms for positive change.’
Among those performers is the utterly brilliant Tom Rasmussen, the trail-blazing trans musician known for their distinctive queer dance-pop.
“Conversations that happen within the community are often about the interconnectedness of struggle and the erasure of rights,” says Tom.
“My rights as a trans person, and therefore as a marginalised person, are linked directly to the rights of refugees who are facing horrific prejudice and violence, and to people in Palestine who continue to live through genocide.
“The marginalised are so often political tools with which wars are waged to keep the powerful powerful. But we aren’t pawns – we are people full of love and life and talent and brilliance and minds and hearts, who deserve every right and every protection, and who deserve peace.”
For Alexander, the night is about audiences leaving the OVO Arena “feeling energised and hopeful”.
“I’ve always believed that change comes down to each and every one of us and how we show up in our communities. We each have a part to play and any action, big or small, can have a ripple effect that changes the course of history.”
Trans Mission takes place at OVO Arena Wembley on March 11.
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