Róisín Murphy says backlash over puberty blocker comments ‘wasn’t that bad’
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Irish singer Róisín Murphy recently addressed the backlash she faced after making controversial comments about puberty blockers, stating that the response “wasn’t that bad.” The singer-songwriter and producer sparked outrage in late 2023 when she took to Facebook to express her views on the use of puberty blockers for transgender under-18s.
In the now-deleted post, Murphy criticized “big pharma” for providing puberty blockers to what she referred to as “mixed-up little kids,” using strong language to describe the hormones as “f**ked.” She called for the protection of vulnerable youth, stating, “Little mixed-up kids are vulnerable and need to be protected, that’s just true.”
Puberty blockers are medications that temporarily halt certain effects of puberty in transgender adolescents. While they are considered physically reversible by the NHS, they have been a topic of debate within the medical community. Last month, NHS England announced that trans youth would no longer be prescribed puberty blockers at gender identity clinics, a decision that was met with mixed reactions from advocates of gender-affirming healthcare.
Following the public outcry over her comments, Murphy issued an apology to her fans, many of whom were surprised by her stance on trans healthcare issues. Despite the backlash, the singer maintained that the response she received was not as severe as anticipated. In an interview with France24 English, Murphy stated, “The internet was not that bad. I didn’t get these death threats or anything like that. I got lots of support. I had three or four people ask for tickets back.”
She further defended her views, claiming that they were not widely perceived as controversial and that many individuals could understand her perspective. Murphy emphasized that the incident had not affected her ongoing tour in support of her sixth solo album, “Hit Parade,” which marked her first solo top 10 album.
As she continues to tour across the UK, Europe, and North America, Murphy remains focused on delivering what she described as the best tour of her career. The controversy surrounding her comments has not deterred her from pursuing her passion for music and connecting with her audience. Her final show is scheduled to take place in San Francisco, California on November 9, 2024.
Despite the challenges she faced due to her remarks on puberty blockers, Róisín Murphy remains steadfast in her commitment to her artistry and is determined to share her music with fans around the world. As she navigates the complexities of fame and public scrutiny, Murphy’s resilience and dedication to her craft continue to shine through, solidifying her status as a respected and influential figure in the music industry.
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