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Mermaids Press

New name, same support: Mermaids’ John on why we have renamed our support line

Hi, my name’s John and I work on Mermaids’ support line. I’m a non-binary trans man living in Staffordshire with my fiancée. I love reading and listening to podcasts, especially if they are about history and folklore! My co-workers know me as the one with lots of Oodies (a type of wearable, hooded blanket) they joke that I have one for every day of the week!   I remember when I was eighteen someone asked me what my dream job was. I said it would be working for an LGBTQ+ organisation but that it would probably never happen. Around Christmas 2020…

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Mermaids Press

Statement in response to today’s executive order to ban gender affirming care for under 19’s in the USA

We are devastated for young people in the USA following the executive order that seeks to ban gender affirming care for under 19s. Right across the globe, extremist politicians are trying to deny trans youth the right to freely express themselves, despite clear evidence of the benefits of gender affirming care. We stand in full solidarity with the young people and their loved ones affected by these measures. This order reminds us that the right to healthcare is hard won but easily taken away. We will support our international partners who stand resolutely against the global anti-gender movement and continue…

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Mermaids Press

New research reveals state of trans youth’s wellbeing 

This week, research was published into the experiences of nearly 4000 trans young people who spoke to their GP about wanting transition between 2011 and 2021.  The study looked at everyone under 18 years old where their GP had recorded that they were experiencing gender dysphoria or gender incongruence.   Long waiting lists meant that many young people who wanted to transition were never seen by the now-closed specialist Gender Identity Development Service (GIDS).   This research is so important because previous studies on trans young people have not captured outcomes for all trans young people who had approached their GP…

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Mermaids Press

Statement in response to the continued criminal ban on puberty blockers

As LGBTQ+ sector organisations, we are deeply disappointed that the UK Government has decided to continue criminalising the prescription of puberty suppressing medicines for trans children and young people outside of a proposed NHS research study  Every single child and young person, across all nations of the UK, should be able to get the care that they need to grow up happy and healthy. To be supported by well trained, knowledgeable professionals who can make the right decisions with them, and who have access to appropriate medical treatments. To not have to wait too long or travel too far.  And…

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Mermaids Press

Mermaids’ statement on the Charity Commission report’s findings

Statement from our Chair of Trustees, Kathryn Downs  We are relieved that the Charity Commission Inquiry which began nearly two years ago is finally over. The report states, as we anticipated, that there is no finding of misconduct at Mermaids.  The Commission has also confirmed, as we have repeatedly asserted, that we have not provided medical advice or acted improperly in our work with children, young people and their families.    We want to thank all our staff, volunteers and generous supporters who have ensured we have continued to provide high quality support and advocacy to trans young people, maintaining our…

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Mermaids Press

Our helpline hours are changing

From Monday 7th October, we will be reducing our helpline opening hours to 1pm-8:30pm on weekdays, instead of 9am-9pm on weekdays. We have made this decision so that we can continue to support our community to the best of our ability through this difficult and uncertain time. The ongoing Charity Commission inquiry, which was opened almost two years ago, has left Mermaids’ future as an organisation more uncertain than ever. This process has come at a great cost. We’ve already been forced to make other difficult decisions about our staff team and the ways that we work, pausing vital projects…

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Mermaids Press

Statement on NHS England gender service updates

NHS England has today (7 August 2024) published several updates relevant to gender services for young people, including its Cass Review Implementation Plan and the new referral pathway specification. These updates largely outline what we already know about NHS England’s approach. However, we’ll be reviewing them in detail and, alongside sector partners, will provide further information, analysis and resources in due course.  If you’re worried about anything you read and need to talk to someone, please contact our helpline. We’re here for you Monday to Friday, 9am – 9pm. 

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Mermaids Press

Statement in response to recent far right violence

Mermaids condemns the racist, Islamophobic and anti-migrant violence we’ve witnessed across the UK in the last few weeks. We stand with all of those affected and have signed the following joint statement, organised by Together With Refugees, calling for the Government to take action.  “As organisations based across the UK working with refugees and migrants, we are deeply shocked and devastated by these horrific acts of violence. Racism, Islamophobia and hatred against migrants have no place in our country. We stand in solidarity with the men, women and children affected, many of whom have already fled unimaginable horrors to try…

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Mermaids Press

Statement in response to the High Court ruling on the puberty blocker ban

We are incredibly disappointed by yesterday’s High Court judgement to uphold the decision to restrict the prescription of puberty blockers for trans young people.  The ban, which was brought into place under the previous Conservative Health Secretary, will expire on 2 September 2024 and there must be a consultation process if the Government wishes to make it permanent. We strongly believe that the Health Secretary must now listen to trans young people. This includes recognising the harm that outright bans have, and continue to cause, and making sure harm reduction measures are in place to support the children and young…

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Mermaids Press

Statement on General Election result

Our Trans Youth Manifesto, which we published in June, outlines what young people need from their elected representatives, and their message is clear: they want to feel safe, welcome and protected, and to live in a world where they are celebrated, not debated.  We hope the new Prime Minister will be true to his word, treating trans people with dignity and respect, and call on his new government to centre the needs and voices of trans young people in conversations that affect them.  We will do all we can to make sure the voices of young people are heard in…

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