Jess Glynne Apologises After Backlash To Trans Slur Video: 'I'm Wholeheartedly Sorry'

"The language I used was unacceptable," she told her Instagram followers.

Last week, the chart-topping singer was a guest on Mo Gilligan’s podcast, where she recounted a night out at Glastonbury.

In a preview clip for the episode posted on social media, Jess is heard telling the comedian: “This is probably the funniest bit, we got to the end of our trail or whatever, and it was like a t****y strip club thing, like.”

She is also seen laughing while describing her friend’s discomfort over being at the venue in question.

CW - t slur

Jess Glynne, you really could have worded this a lot better 🙄 pic.twitter.com/aRiYuIsYWl

— jacob but broken (they/them) (@ItsJacobEdward) March 7, 2021

Jess subsequently faced a huge backlash online, and has now apologised on her Instagram page.

“I want to address my appearance on [Mo Gilligan’s] podcast, when a story I told caused massive and righteous offence,” she wrote. “First, I want to say that I am wholeheartedly sorry.

“I know that in this case, sorry is not nearly enough, throughout my life I have made a lot of mistakes and what I have come to know is that the only benefit to making one is to learn from it.

“I didn’t want to simply put out a PR apology on social media because I know that I have caused offence and pain to a community that I love and have always wanted to support. To be in the knowledge that I have negatively impacted the community through my own ignorance has ripped out a piece of my heart.

“I know I needed to address my mistake head on and educate myself about an issue I was frankly ignorant of.”

Jess Glynne pictured in 2019
Jess Glynne pictured in 2019
David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images for Eco-Age Ltd

Jess continued: “The language I used on the podcast was unacceptable, as someone that has always been immersed in the LGBTQ+ community, I have witnessed first hand the progress that has been made when it comes to language, I am ashamed that I was unaware of the potency of the T-slur until now.

“I have been fortunate enough and privileged enough to spend time today talking to the transgender model and activist [Danielle St James] who has educated me about the power of that word and how it has been historically used as a weapon against so many.

“It is often the last word someone hears before they are brutally attacked or even murdered, similar to the anti-gay F-slur, the T-slur is commonly used to humiliate and degrade transgender individuals.

“Murders and attacks are commonplace in this community and safe environments are paramount. I now understand how insulting it was to see a clip of me and [Mo Gilligan] laughing at a story which I should have known better than to tell and casually, thoughtlessly using a word that is a dehumanising, dangerous slur to so many.”

Jess assured her fans she would be “lending my platform to voices of the community” in the coming weeks, adding: “I look forward to continuing my education on these issues.”

On Monday, HuffPost UK contacted Mo Gilligan’s reps for comment, but did not receive a response.

Useful websites and helplines:

  • The Gender Trust supports anyone affected by gender identity | 01527 894 838
  • Mermaids offers information, support, friendship and shared experiences for young people with gender identity issues | 0208 1234819
  • LGBT Youth Scotland is the largest youth and community-based organisation for LGBT people in Scotland. Text 07786 202 370
  • Gires provides information for trans people, their families and professionals who care for them | 01372 801554
  • Depend provides support, advice and information for anyone who knows, or is related to, a transsexual person in the UK
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