'This is a Trans Mission': London's Wembley Arena hosts night of solidarity
It all gets going later this evening - and came about after last year's Supreme Court ruling on the definition of 'sex' in the Equality Act
Last updated 24 hours ago
Tonight, London's Wembley Arena will host Trans Mission, celebrating transgender rights with performances from renowned artists.
The Live Aid-inspired concert aims to raise funds for the Good Law Project and the transgender charity Not a Phase, with profits split evenly between the two organisations.
Headline acts include musical icons from across the spectrum, including Sugababes, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Adam Lambert, Kate Nash, Jasmine.4.T, and Wolf Alice.
In addition to musical performances, the event will also feature speakers such as Dani St James, Shon Faye, Zack Polanski, Munroe Bergdorf, and Ian McKellen.
The inspiration for Trans Mission came after a Supreme Court ruling in April 2025 that impacted transgender rights.
'Showing them that people care'
Musician Tom Rasmussen responded with an open letter of solidarity, leading to collaboration with Glyn Fussell, director of the Mighty Hoopla music festival, and musician Olly Alexander in planning the event.
Glyn discussed the event's significance, telling Hits Radio Pride: "I feel that the fight that trans people have been going through has always felt like it's my fight as well.
"And that's connected with a lot of the events I've been involved with, like Mighty Hoopla, which have a huge cultural importance, particularly to our trans brothers and sisters, as well of me myself being a trustee of Not a Phase.
"I've also set up a foundation called Pink Noise, which has been fundraising for the most vulnerable in our community - including those who are trans and queer seeking asylum.
"We put on a wonderful event last year at Pride, and Olly Alexander, who I've known for years, kindly performed for us, and we just said that we felt - whilst putting the world to rights - we genuinely felt scared about the future.
"Trans Mission, really, was born from that.
"Not only was it about being a fundraiser, but it was also a chance for trans people to come to an event, and show them that people care.
"Sadly, trans people don't get to exist every day without having to be some sort of activist, and quite frankly, they're all just knackered, they're burnt out."
'You just have to take that gamble'
For anyone putting on a show, it's always a risk, and you're wondering if those seats will be filled - but Glyn and the team are going big...
London's Wembley Arena big.
Glyn told us, though, how word for the concert has gone international - and people will be flying in from all over to witness something which is going to be a part of history.
He said: "We're doing Wembley Arena - and no doubt about it, she's a big girl!
"But we just had to take that gamble, as we had to secure the venue before we even thought about getting any artists involved.
"That was the really scary but for me, I think.
"You go in and it genuinely takes your breath away at the scale of it all.
"What the most astonishing part of it is just how many of those on the line-up you see today said yes almost instantly, when I asked them.
"We see so much hate and separation on social media now that we actually forget: people are good.
"A lot of people don't know how to show up for a community within our community, and they do it at Prides, and that's great - but you can do it in other ways.
"It's felt very good for the soul that people are willing to show up - we've got people from the States coming for this event, we've got people coming from Europe... it's incredible."
'My currency is joy'
For a man who's organised some of the country's biggest events, though, for him, Glyn revealed how he's going to feel the most joy when he's stood, somewhere backstage, and witnessing the joy of the crowd.
"My currency is joy," Glyn added.
"As I got older, I realised that I am a facilitator and I am someone very good at pulling things together.
"I want to make people feel joy and, even at Mighty Hoopla, I like just dipping around and seeing the elation in people's faces.
"I think, for a community that is on the daily having their joy stripped away, Trans Mission is going to be quite life affirming, for me.
"Right now, in the world we currently live in, everyone needs to check their privilege for a hot second, and think, 'How can I turn my position into positive change?'
"I think that's what everyone will be doing on that stage when they step on there."
'The LGBTQ+ community comes together when people need us'
The concert promises to be an empowering experience for those attending, as it highlights solidarity and community support for transgender rights.
Glyn reflected: "The thing I love right now the most about the LGBTQ+ community is that we come together when people within it need us.
"And this feels like everyone really needs to come together now.
"We need to get bigger and louder, and actually, prouder to be part of such a beautiful community.
"There's a real intention and heart behind it all at Trans Mission and hopefully we can shift the dial a little, and I hope there'll be some change that comes from it.
"The allyship towards the trans community has never been more needed... it's crucial."