Róisín Murphy Apologizes for ‘Hurtful’ Gender Affirming Care Comments

Róisín Murphy is speaking out following a viral Facebook comment circulating social media in which the Irish singer appears to criticize puberty blockers for what she called “little mixed up kids,” launching backlash from trans rights and gender affirming care supporters.

The singer took to Twitter on Tuesday (Aug. 29) to share a lengthy statement, noting that she’s been “thrown into a very public discourse in an arena I’m uncomfortable in and deeply unsuitable for.” She added that she’s had a Facebook account for years, and commented on a post bringing up “a specific issue that was only broadly related to the original post. It was something that had been on my mind. I knew my friends were informed about the topic. I should’ve known too that I was stepping out of line.”

She continued: “I’ve spent my whole life celebrating diversity and different views, but I never patronise or cynically aim my music directly at the pockets of any demographic. The music I make is the core of everything I do and it’s ever-evolving, freewheeling and unpredictable. For those of you that are leaving me, or have already left, I understand, I really do, but please know I have loved every one of you. I have always been so proud of my audience and understood the privilege of performing for you, all through the years.”

Murphy went on to apologize to her fanbase, a large portion of which are part of the queer community. “I am so sorry my comments have been directly hurtful to many of you,” she wrote. “You must have felt a huge shock, blindsided by this so abruptly. I understand fixed views are not helpful but I really hope people can understand my concern was out of love for all of us.”

Dr. Joshua D. Safer, MD, executive director of the Mount Sinai Center for Transgender Medicine and Surgery, previously told Billboard that when medical intervention becomes necessary for a trans person, there are a number of different procedures minors can undergo. Those who have yet to start puberty may begin their transition process using puberty blockers — medication meant to “pause puberty” for up to a year to prevent permanent physical change.

When it comes to gender diverse people, puberty blockers can simply buy time before the patient decides how they want to proceed with their transition — as blockers are reversible. “If puberty were not paused, irreversible physical characteristics from the natural puberty would occur and require more involved treatment later like surgery,” Dr. Safer explains.

See Murphy’s full statement below.

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