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Mermaids Press

Statement in response to a Telegraph article published Sunday 25 September

On Thursday 22 September, we were alerted to an upcoming piece in the Telegraph about Mermaids. We made the decision not to respond to the journalist’s request for comment but wanted to clarify our stance and offer some reassurance to anyone who might have concerns about some of the issues raised. Access to the forums We have robust security and moderation processes in place to ensure our forums are a safe space for trans, non-binary and gender diverse young people and their families. In August 2022, an individual – possibly a journalist – tried to gain access to the Youth…

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Mermaids Press

Virgin Radio Pridecast: Living Authentically – Trans Truths

Radio and TV presenter Stephanie Hirst takes a candid look into the unspoken issues surrounding transgender people.  Featuring: Paris Munro, Cleo Madeleine and several figures from the trans and non-binary community, we bust some of the myths and misconceptions about trans people and ask the difficult questions that need to be heard.  Plus, we join Lee Lester from the Mermaids, as he holds a discussion with members of the public. Listen to the full episode here. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mermaids (@mermaidsgender)

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Trans rights in schools: Mermaids’ statement

Today (10 August 2022), Suella Braverman QC MP, the Attorney General, made a speech for the Policy Exchange think tank on the affirmation of trans, non-binary and gender diverse children in school. The contents of Braverman’s speech do not reflect our understanding of the Equality Act 2010 or the realities of being a trans child in schools. Her speech is not legally binding on schools and does not mark a change in school’s duties toward trans children in their care.  What does the Equality Act say? Under the Equality Act 2010, people with the characteristic of “gender reassignment” are protected…

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Our letter to the Health Research Authority

We’re one of 10 organisations who have today (Thursday 4 August 2022) written to the Health Research Authority to express serious privacy and consent concerns with regards to the quantitative research approach proposed by the Cass Review. Mermaids welcomes research into trans healthcare which aims to improve the quality and efficiency of the care provided to trans, non-binary and gender diverse children, young people and adults. However, we want to ensure that any research carried out into our community is done in a way that is ethical and safe and does not put our community at risk of unnecessary harm….

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Tavistock closure: your questions answered

NHS Tavistock and Portman’s Gender Identity Development Service (GIDS), England’s sole provider of gender identity health services for children and young people, is closing its doors in Spring 2023. What does it mean for those currently accessing treatment, or on the waiting list to do so? We answer your questions… Yesterday we heard some big news: England’s gender health services are set to expand, and those who are currently GIDS patients or on the waiting lists will transfer to the new service without additional delays. If you had the unfortunate experience of reading misleading news headlines that “Tavistock is being…

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Over 2,000 individuals and organisations sign our open letting calling the UK’s four national sporting bodies to support trans-inclusive policies

As the fifth major sporting body looks set to announce a ban on trans women athletes that will directly prevent trans girls’ participation in sports at a grassroots level, Mermaids is publishing our open letter urging the UK’s four national sporting bodies to support trans-inclusive policies across all sports. The letter, which urges sporting bodies to start from a point of inclusion, received more than 2,100 signatures from individuals and organisations, including Stonewall, LGBT Foundation, British Kickboxing Council, cyclist Dr Veronica Ivy, former footballer Neville Southall and RuPaul’s Drag Race UK’s Divina De Campo.  To date, Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI),…

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Trans Pride London: A celebration of trans joy

On Saturday 9th July, Mermaids staff, volunteers and friends marched at Trans Pride London with over 20,000 others. View this post on Instagram A post shared by London Trans+ Pride (@londontranspride) In 30-degree heat, the trans community along with its allies shut down the roads of central London from Wellington Arch to Soho Square through to Piccadilly Circus.  Along the route, there were chants calling for “trans rights now,” “trans people are valid” and cheers from both the marchers and people lining the pavements.  We marched for trans visibility, for trans inclusion in the Ban Conversion Therapy bill, for better…

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Pride Tales Tonie: Educate children about the importance of acceptance this pride month

Pride month is in full swing, but it’s not a time just for adults. Pride month is a great opportunity to educate, inform and inspire children to learn about the LGBT+ community, and this year tonies® is doing that through one of their storytelling boxes. The Pride Tales offers a wonderful introduction to the LGBTQ+ community in all its diversity. tonies® carefully curated the collection to gently educate and inform children about the importance of acceptance without judgement. The Tonie takes the shape of an adorable Pride rainbow and is narrated by Strictly Come Dancing star, Johannes Radebe. Johannes’ offers…

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My residential story

From service user to role model, 20-year-old moss (they/he) reflects on how important our residential weekends have been on their journey As I traveled to my first residential in an anxious state, navigating through London with my mum by my side, I wondered whether I would fit in. I was unsure of who I was going to meet or how I would be able to talk to so many people I had only just met. I went with little expectation and a lot of nervous feelings. Meeting my family What I didn’t know was that these people were my family….

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Let kids swim: Mermaids’ statement on FINA guidance

We are incredibly disappointed that swimming has become the third international sport to decide to exclude trans people from elite competition, a decision that is already being felt at a grassroots level. Mermaids’ Verity Smith (He/Him) looks at what’s going on, and how it impacts the people we support. What’s happening? On Sunday 19 June, the International Swimming Federation (FINA), swimming’s world governing body, effectively banned trans women from competing in elite women’s races.  This new guidance says that trans women can only compete if they can prove they have “not experienced male puberty” before the age of 12 (Pink…

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