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Mermaids Press

Mermaids 2022: Year in review

2022 was a particularly difficult year for the trans community, but amongst the challenges, there has been cause for celebration too.  From the courage of Members of the Scottish Parliament who stood strong in the face of intense opposition and voted for gender recognition reform, to Mermaids being selected as a charity partner for the world’s largest streaming event and the formation of our first-ever Youth Advisory Panel, here are just a few of the more positive things we’ll remember 2022 for.  Support services To the end of November 2022, we answered 3,593 helpline calls and 4,186 web chats, made…

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Mermaids Press

Scotland leads the way on Gender Recognition Reform in the UK

In a huge win for trans people, the Scottish Parliament has passed a landmark Bill removing barriers to legal recognition We are delighted by the news that the Scottish Parliament has passed the Gender Recognition Reform Bill by 86 votes to 39. At a time when trans people in the UK are facing growing hostility, Scottish MSPs have shown bravery and a commitment to equality in supporting this long-overdue legislation, and we send our gratitude and admiration to the Scottish campaigners who have tirelessly fought for reform for over six years.  The reforms mean a trans person can more easily…

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Mermaids Press

Mermaids appoints interim CEO

Mermaids has appointed an interim CEO, who will be joining the charity this week.  Lauren Stoner (she/her) has spent most of her career working in health and social care with a focus on person-centred support, rights, and voice. Her career to date has focused on fundraising and policy change, ensuring that disabled people and abuse survivors have the right support. Lauren has also been involved in developing and supporting partnerships with providers, commissioners and others across the statutory, voluntary, and community sector. She lives in Nottingham with her partner and their pet rats. In a letter to staff, supporters and…

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Mermaids Press

Statement on Charity Commission inquiry

Earlier this year Mermaids decided to carry out a frank and honest appraisal of our internal culture and how we measure up in terms of equity, diversity and inclusion. As part of this process, we commissioned an independent external report which highlighted a number of significant challenges for us. We know we must do better and we are absolutely committed to doing so, and will be implementing the report’s recommendations as a priority. The charity has an unwavering commitment to safeguarding which is, and always will be, our top priority. We will continue to cooperate fully, openly and with complete…

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Mermaids Press

Shaping the future of healthcare: why reflecting on Bell v Tavistock still matters

Two years on from the Bell v Tavistock judgement, Mermaids has produced a report reflecting on its impact for trans young people and their families In October 2019, a judicial review (or complaint) was made in the UK on whether people under 18 years of age could consent to puberty blockers (‘Bell v Tavistock’) and on 1 December 2020, the court ruled in Bell’s favour. Immediately NHS England froze access to new puberty blocker prescriptions, leaving young people in limbo.  Two years on from that judgement, the impact continues to be felt, highlighted in a new report, published today (1…

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Mermaids Press

“I’m worried about the future of healthcare for trans youth” – a parent’s view

A paediatric doctor and parent of a trans child shares her view on the future of healthcare for gender diverse young people in England. I have been a paediatric doctor for 10 years. I also have a primary-school age transgender child. When my child first raised questions about their gender identity (“Mum, how do people know if they are a girl or a boy? Because I think I’m a boy”) I went looking for evidence to help me decide how to respond.  After about six months of being supportive and non-judgemental while they continued to express their questions, my child…

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Mermaids Press

“Social transition: It’s a lifesaver” – a young trans person’s view

Two young trans people share their views on proposed changes to NHS healthcare services for trans and gender-diverse young people in England We continue our series of blogs from our communities on the impact of the proposed guidelines with two young trans people, Jamie and Elijah, who have shared their views on the specification.  The consultation on the proposed guidelines runs until 4 December 2022, and we have produced guidance on the consultation to help you respond.  Jamie: “Social transition – it’s a lifesaver” Social transition saved me as a teenager. To some, it may seem unbelievable how such simple…

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Mermaids Press

Susie Green leaves Mermaids

Mermaids CEO Susie Green has left the charity after six years in charge. Chair of Trustees Belinda Bell said: “The Trustees are very grateful to Susie for everything she has done over the last six years to support trans, non-binary and gender-diverse young people and their families, and to build Mermaids into the organisation it is today. “We wish her all the best for the future.” An interim CEO will be appointed shortly. 

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Mermaids Press

Trans healthcare guideline proposals: A response from our community

“It sounds like they are trying to stop trans youth existing” This month, we published a blog summarising some of the proposed changes to the NHS healthcare services for young trans and gender-diverse people in England.  The new guidelines were met with anger and frustration by the young people and families we support, with those on our helplines and forums expressing deep concern about the implications to their future wellbeing.  In response, we held two online engagement sessions, one for trans and gender-diverse young people, and one for parents to listen to their views.  What struck us most was the…

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Mermaids Press

NHS England youth gender services consultation: Tips for responding

NHS England has launched a consultation running from 20 October to 4 December on how the future youth gender services should run in the new clinics opening in Spring 2023.   We have significant concerns about these proposals, which you can read about in our explainer blog, and in collaboration with Stonewall, Gendered Intelligence and Trans Learning Partnership, have now published guidance to help with your response. The guidance takes you through the questions as they are on the response form, with key issues you may wish to raise in bullet points. We’ve also highlighted relevant research, as well as differences between this…

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