Irish Singer Róisín Murphy Removed from Istanbul Festival Over Anti-Trans Comments

Irish singer Róisín Murphy was removed from the inaugural Back In Town Festival in Istanbul after posting controversial social media comments claiming that being trans and non-binary was "never real" and suggesting that the rise in these identities caused harm to children and society. The festival organizers, emphasizing their commitment to inclusivity and safety, stated that Murphy's recent statements conflicted with the festival's values, prompting her removal and replacement by Turkish singer-songwriter Kalben. Murphy defended her views, criticizing what she called a "mob" of activists and expressing concern over media influence and social media's role in spreading trans ideology. Experts analyzing the data she shared suggested that the decline in young people identifying as trans or non-binary may reflect changing attitudes rather than an actual decrease in identification. This controversy follows previous backlash Murphy faced in 2023 for her comments on puberty blockers for trans youth. The festival's decision highlights ongoing tensions in the music industry regarding artists' public statements on gender identity issues.