Sophie Ellis-Bextor Condemns Transphobia in the UK: “They Make Trans People Their Whole Personality”

British singer-songwriter Sophie Ellis-Bextor, best known for her enduring hit “Murder on the Dancefloor,” has used her platform to address the rising tide of transphobia in the United Kingdom and beyond. In a series of recent interviews, Ellis-Bextor criticized what she describes as an obsessive, hostile focus by some individuals on transgender people, contrasting this with the quieter, everyday lives that most transgender people seek to lead .

Promoting her latest album "Perimenopop", Ellis-Bextor reflected on the shifting cultural and political climate for LGBTQ+ people. She voiced her frustration with “chronically online” transphobes, stating: “These people make trans people their whole personality and spend their entire day checking their socials and being angry, whereas trans people themselves just want to be under the radar and live their lives” .

Ellis-Bextor’s remarks come amid a broader debate over transgender rights in the UK, where increased visibility for transgender communities has been met with a rise in anti-transgender rhetoric, particularly on social media platforms .

Reflecting on how the meaning of Pride has shifted, Ellis-Bextor noted: “There was a time when Pride felt like a celebration of all the shoulders that people were able to stand on, but now it feels like it’s an absolute political necessity. I suppose you have to be optimistic that things will get better again, but I do get very down about it” .

She described how Pride, once a jubilant celebration of progress and community, now feels “like an absolute political necessity,” given the current climate. Despite this, Ellis-Bextor expressed hope that renewed optimism and solidarity might eventually restore Pride’s celebratory nature.

Ellis-Bextor has a long-standing queer following and has regularly performed at Pride events. She credits these experiences with deepening her understanding of queer and transgender communities, describing Pride audiences as “very inclusive, supportive, warm” .

She further revealed that witnessing a friend become increasingly anti-transgender had a personal impact: “I had one of my friends go on quite a weird flip, and it was really affecting me. You definitely need to assert that you feel really differently, and find ways to support what you believe is the right side of history” .

In interviews, Ellis-Bextor has recommended “turning down the volume” on those with homophobic and transphobic views and amplifying the stories and voices of LGBTQ+ people, including by inviting transgender mothers, activists, and charity workers onto her podcast, "Spinning Plates" .

Ellis-Bextor’s comments arrive amid high-profile disputes in the entertainment industry over transgender rights, including recent disagreements between actors and authors such as Emma Watson and J.K. Rowling. Watson has publicly disagreed with Rowling’s gender-critical views while maintaining respect for their shared history, whereas Rowling has criticized Watson’s stance and continued to post content that has been widely labeled as transphobic .

Artists such as Boy George have also spoken in support of transgender rights and Watson’s position, demonstrating a visible and growing solidarity within the music and entertainment industries .

The increase in anti-transgender sentiment has led to concern and activism from LGBTQ+ organizations and allies. Many in the community have echoed Ellis-Bextor’s call for empathy, emphasizing that transgender people, like everyone else, largely wish to live peacefully and without harassment .

Pride events and LGBTQ+ spaces continue to be crucial for visibility, safety, and celebration, but as Ellis-Bextor observes, they are also increasingly sites of political struggle. The singer’s advocacy highlights the importance of cultural figures using their platforms to defend equality and encourage genuine understanding.

Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s stance against transphobia is a notable example of allyship in action. By contrasting the obsessive anger of online transphobes with the quiet dignity of transgender people’s lives, she underscores the need for compassion and respect. Her message is clear: support, celebrate, and uplift transgender voices, and remember the true spirit of Pride as both a celebration and an ongoing movement for equality .