LGBTQ+ group critical of lights switch-on band

An LBGTQ+ group has spoken out after 90s girl band Eternal turned on the Christmas lights in Hereford.

Hereford Queers and Beers wrote an open letter on social media ahead of the event on Sunday, after allegations that two members made comments against the trans community last year.

Louise Redknapp and Kéllé Bryan pulled out of a tour with their former bandmates Easther and Vernie Bennett as a result.

Richard Hancock, one of the organisers of Hereford Queers and Beers, told the BBC he was shocked by the comments and felt they should have been clarified.

The girl group, who had hits including Stay and Just A Step From Heaven in the 1990s, were due to reunite this year.

But the Bennett sisters allegedly refused to play certain dates, which was confirmed to the BBC by Redknapp's publicist Simon Jones in September last year.

He said: "A message was sent to the team putting together the Eternal reunion stating that if it was to go ahead, neither Vernie nor Easther would perform at Pride shows or LGBTQ+ festivals," he said.

"This was because the duo felt that the gay community was being hijacked by the trans community and they do not support this.

"Louise is a huge supporter and ally of the LGBTQ+ community and both herself and Kéllé told the duo they would not work with anyone who held these views, and as such the reunion as a four would not be going ahead."

Eternal in 1994 (L-R): Vernie Bennett, Kéllé Bryan, Louise Redknapp and Easther Bennett

The open letter, posted on the Queers and Beers Instagram account, said the group wanted to make residents of Herefordshire aware of the "disrespectful" and "bigoted" views of the two band members.

It said: "These issues need to be addressed and prevented, as aligning with hateful groups only sends a strong message."

Mr Hancock told BBC Hereford & Worcester the group felt the letter had to be released to address negative comments towards the trans community.

He said: "It's been 14 months since the articles have been around. If I had quotes like this attributed to me I think I'd have clarified them pretty quickly if I didn't feel that way."

The switch-on event, held in the city centre, was attended by hundreds of people.

The BBC has contacted Hereford City Council and Eternal for comment.