Two of Róisín Murphy‘s shows have been cancelled following backlash over comments she made about puberty blockers, which have been criticized as being transphobic. Daily Beast points out that her London promotional in-store performances / signings scheduled for September 8, the release date for new album Hit Parade, at Rough Trade East, a matinee and an evening show, are both listed on Dice as cancelled. A reason has not been given for the cancellation, and other dates on Murphy’s tour — including a London show at Alexandra Palace in February — are currently set to go ahead as planned.
Earlier this week, a source told The Toronto Star that Ninja Tune, Murphy’s label, would be ceasing all promotion of Hit Parade following her comments. The source told the Star that the label planned to donate proceeds from sales of the album to organizations that fight against transphobia.
Murphy issued a statement saying she would “now completely bow out of this conversation within the public domain.” In her original comment, made with her personal Facebook account, she wrote, “puberty blockers ARE FUCKED, absolutely desolate, big Pharma laughing all the way to the bank. Little mixed up kids are vulnerable and need to be protected, that’s just true.”