THE Proclaimers have sparked backlash after making a series of anti-trans comments.
The Scottish duo, twin brothers Craig and Charlie Reid, spoke to The Telegraph ahead of the release of their new album.
In the interview, Craig said that a woman is an "adult human female" and that those who hold pro-trans views are "truth-phobic".
The term "adult human female" is a gender-critical definition of the word woman.
"There's women, actual women, who are threatened with violence – sometimes get violence – and de-platformed because they have the temerity to say that a woman is an adult human female," Craig told The Telegraph.
"And they are shouted down by 0.5% in a population who are male and who think that because they put on a dress, and they put on make-up, that that makes them a female."
Craig also said: “I’m not transphobic. I’m not against a man identifying as a woman, dressing as a woman. I’m not against any of that. All I’m against is saying that he actually is a woman when he’s not a woman.
"A lot of these folk are basically truth-phobic. They’ll deny the biological reality. Then if you insist on it, they’ll say that you are hurting their feelings, that you’re disrespecting them.
"But I respect reality and scientific fact, not myth."
Craig also praised Graham Linehan, a notable figure in the gender critical movement.
He described the downfall of his career as "a tragedy", adding that he "lost his career for telling the truth", although he conceded that they "wouldn't agree with everything Linehan says".
Broadcaster India Willoughby, who is trans, branded The Proclaimers "a disappointment".
"People born trans are a naturally occurring part of humanity," she said.
"Trans hate is not a 'point of view' or 'opinion'."
Thomas Willett, founder of advocacy group Equality Amplified, said: "Who cares what The Proclaimers think about trans people? They're not experts on gender, law, healthcare or human rights.
"The media's obsession with pushing celebrity opinions on trans issues is a perfect example of how anti-trans narratives are manufactured, elevated and normalised."
Who cares what The Proclaimers think about trans people? They’re not experts on gender, law, healthcare or human rights. The media’s obsession with pushing celebrity opinions on trans issues is a perfect example of how anti-trans narratives are manufactured, elevated & normalised https://t.co/dg2yeJFgnL
— Thomas Willett (@ThomasWillett9) September 10, 2026
One social media user said: "Are you serious?? I'm a trans girl and have been a fan of The Proclaimers for years.
"I was excited for this new album! But this is.... incredibly dumb."
Another user said: "Can musicians stop broadcasting that they're arseholes please? Like, I need a break from this news."
A third simply said: "Gobsh*tes on Leith."
A fourth wrote: "Devastated to discover that a band I loved have succumbed to right-wing rhetoric and propaganda.
"Solidarity with all trans people, especially any who were fans of yours."
