Trans Mission
| Location | London, England |
|---|---|
| Venue | Wembley Arena |
| Date | March 11, 2026 |
| Website | Official website |
Trans Mission was a benefit concert in support of the transgender community, held on 11 March 2026 at the Wembley Arena in London.[1][2][3]
History
In April 2025, the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom ruled in For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers that "sex" in the Equality Act 2010 refers solely to biological sex, a ruling that impacted transgender rights. In response, musicians and music industry professionals Tom Rasmussen, Tom Mehrtens, Olly Alexander, and Martha Kinn posted an open letter of solidarity with the trans community, which was signed by hundreds in the music industry.[1][4][5]
Glyn Fussell, director of the Mighty Hoopla music festival, had already been considering a trans fundraiser. He was motivated by the open letter, and collaborated with Alexander and Trans Voices choir co-founders Ilā Kamalagharan and Coda Nicolaeff on a Live Aid-inspired festival, using the letter's signatories as a list of potential performers.[1][6][7]
In an interview prior to the concert, Alexander stated that he hoped the event sent "a big statement that trans people are loved and that cisgender people care about what’s happening to them."[8] Danielle St James, founder of the trans charity and concert beneficiary Not a Phase, cited Live Aid, Band Aid, and Madonna as other "examples of the music industry stepping in real times where people's rights were being challenged, especially when it comes to wider LGBT rights."[7]
Concert
Trans Mission took place on 11 March 2026 at the Wembley Arena in London in front of over 10,000 people[9] and was hosted by Harriet Rose.[10] Officially billed as "A Night of Solidarity For A Lifetime Of Change",[11] the event was opened by Rasmussen and closed by Adam Lambert. Breaks between performances were punctuated by DJ Bestley, who played queer pop tracks by artists including Frankie Goes To Hollywood, Lady Gaga, and Robyn.[10]
The event also featured various speakers, including Caroline Litman, whose daughter Alice Litman died by suicide while waiting for gender-affirming healthcare, and various pre-recorded messages from numerous celebrities, including previously scheduled performer Bimini Bon-Boulash. Throughout the concert, volunteers collected donations from the crowd.[10]
- Adam Lambert
- Beth Ditto (Gossip)
- Beverley Knight
- Christine And The Queens (Rahim Redcar)
- Gottmik
- HAAi
- Imogen Heap
- Jacob Alon
- Kate Nash
- Kae Tempest
- Jasmine.4.T
- MNEK
- Olly Alexander
- Romy (The xx)
- Rose Gray
- Sink the Pink
- Sugababes
- Sophie Ellis-Bextor
- Tom Rasmussen
- Trans Voices choir
- Wolf Alice
Fundraising
The event raised funds for the non-profit Good Law Project and the trans charity Not a Phase,[1][2][3] with one hundred percent of the profits from the fundraiser split between the recipients.[8]
Reception
Attitude described the event "as a massive, glittering middle finger to the hostility the trans community faces in the UK on a daily basis",[12] while The Line of Best Fit wrote that the event "ran with the steady rhythm of a political rally disguised as a pop concert, though not without its spectrum of encouraging words and outrage at the forces targeting trans lives".[10]
References
- ^ a b c d Lynskey, Dorian (6 March 2026). "'It's 10,000 people saying – we're with you': inside Trans Mission, a night of solidarity and joy for a community under stress". The Guardian. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
- ^ a b Hansford, Amelia (6 March 2026). "Kate Nash cements herself as trans ally: 'You're cooler than everyone else'". Pink News. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
- ^ a b Sugg, Aaron (28 November 2025). "Trans Mission aid concert takes on Wembley with extraordinary line-up by Mighty Hoopla and Olly Alexander". Atittude. Retrieved 6 March 2026.
- ^ Henderson, Lisa (17 March 2026). "Trans Mission: 'It became far bigger than we imagined'". IQ. Retrieved 17 March 2026.
- ^ "An Open Letter of solidarity to the trans community from the UK Music Industry". Retrieved 13 March 2026.
- ^ Damshenas, Sam (10 March 2026). "'Hatred spreads like wildfire, but so can love': Olly Alexander and Trans Voices on bringing Trans Mission to life". Gay Times. Retrieved 10 March 2026.
- ^ a b Dunworth, Liberty (13 March 2026). "Olly Alexander: "I hope that Trans Mission is a beacon of positivity and light in a dark time"". NME. Retrieved 13 March 2026.
- ^ a b O'Connor, Roisin (9 March 2026). "Olly Alexander: 'Trans Mission sends a bold and loud message that we stand with the trans community'". The Independent. Retrieved 9 March 2026.
- ^ Damshenas, Sam (12 March 2026). "Trans joy, protest and solidarity: 5 unforgettable moments from the first-ever Trans Mission". Gay Times. Retrieved 12 March 2026.
- ^ a b c d e f g Jardim, Douglass (12 March 2026). "Pop spectacle and political defiance collide at Trans Mission benefit concert". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 12 March 2026.
- ^ a b c Dunworth, Liberty (12 March 2026). "Here's what went down at the 'Trans Mission' Wembley gig, with Wolf Alice, Adam Lambert and more". NME. Retrieved 12 March 2026.
- ^ a b c d Wells, Callum (12 March 2026). "Trans Mission at Wembley: Olly Alexander, Sugababes and Adam Lambert deliver a glittering middle finger to trans hostility". Attitude. Retrieved 12 March 2026.
- ^ Kerr, Ailo James (13 March 2026). "Celebrities and allies unite for benefit concert in solidarity with trans community". GCN. Retrieved 13 March 2026.
- ^ Wratten, Marcus (12 March 2026). "David Tennant, Lola Young and Emma Bunton send powerful message to trans community". PinkNews. Retrieved 12 March 2026.