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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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Keep Trans In The Ban: What happened at the Westminster Hall debate

Mermaids’ Head of Policy & Research Kai O’Doherty attended a debate on trans-inclusion in a ban on conversion practices this week. Missed it? Here’s what happened – and what might happen next.  What happened? Yesterday (13 June 2022), MPs filled Westminster Hall to debate a public-backed petition calling for the UK Government to reverse its decision to exclude trans and non-binary people from a ban on conversion practices.  It’s been a long road to get to where we are now, with many twists and turns, which you can read about here. After witnessing previous Parliament debates which have descended into…

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Drag Race star River Medway and Mermaids collaborate on a Queen’s Speech with a difference

To mark the State Opening of Parliament 2022, we teamed up with Drag Race royalty River Medway for a Queen’s Speech with a difference! And our Queen has one message for Boris Johnson and his Government: #KeepTransInTheBan. River, who appeared on season three of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, says: “There are many misconceptions about support for trans youth, which is why now more than ever it is more important to continue to use our voices to educate and make a change. “The dangers and long term effects of conversion practices are far worse and more damaging than any support young…

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The State Opening of Parliament: Why it matters

On Tuesday 10 May, the State Opening of Parliament takes place, and we’ll be watching to find out if the Government plans to keep its promise and ban conversion practices after years of delays. But why is the Queen involved? Who on earth is Black Rod? And what happens if the Government don’t #KeepTransInTheBan? Read on to find out more.  What is the State Opening of Parliament?  The State Opening of Parliament, also known as the Queen’s Speech, is a ceremonial event marking the start of the parliamentary year.  An extravagant affair, it usually begins with a procession from Buckingham…

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What’s going on with the Ban on Conversion Therapy?

Conversion ‘therapy’ or practices are any kind of treatment or psychological therapy that aims to suppress, “cure” or change sexual orientation and/or gender identity. For example, gay to straight, transgender to cisgender.

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Single-Sex Spaces: Know Your Rights!

On the 4th of April 2022, the Equality and Human Rights Commission (‘EHRC’) published its guidance on single-sex spaces. We have received a lot of questions around your rights as young, trans people following this guidance being published. This helpsheet is something you can refer to, to understand what the guidance means and what your rights are in single sex spaces. Mermaids exists to support trans, non-binary and gender-diverse children, young people and their families. If you or someone you know needs support, please reach out to our helpline, we are here for you: 0808 801 0400.  Please note this help sheet…

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Our Analysis on the EHRC’s Single-Sex Spaces Guidance

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has published its guidance on single sex spaces on 4 April 2022. This is non-statutory ‘guidance’, it is not the law itself.  The key page regarding the inclusion of trans people in single-sex spaces can be found here.  The guidance explains broadly that trans people can only be discriminated against if that is a proportionate way of meeting a legitimate aim, but fails to offer a clear representation as to how high that threshold is. It is unfortunate (considering that this may be used by the general public) that the EHRC doesn’t stress…

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Statement on the EHRC’s guidance on single-sex spaces

Yesterday (4 April 2022) the Equality and Human Rights Commission published its guidance on single-sex spaces which can be found here. This is non-statutory guidance that explains the law, it is not the law itself. The guidance provides a number of worrying examples of instances where trans people could be barred from single-sex spaces. The guidance states that trans people can be excluded from single-sex spaces if their presence infringes upon the ‘dignity’ or ‘safety’ of others. This is very concerning as it suggests that sharing a space with a trans person is inherently dangerous, and that trans people risk…

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