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Mermaids Press

Mermaids’ appeal against the LGB Alliance’s charity status: Day 2

Today was the second day of the hearing of Mermaids versus the Charity Commission regarding the status of the LGB Alliance. Paul Roberts, CEO of LGBT+ Consortium, gave evidence in support of Mermaids. LGB Alliance’s legal team cross-examined Mr Roberts on his Witness Statement for several hours, and under intense questioning, he was clear that Consortium’s view is that trans women are women, trans men are men, and trans people belong in the LGBT community. The tribunal also ruled in favour of publishing documents relevant to the case, including skeleton arguments and witness statements. Notes to editors 1. Read the appeal grounds in full…

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Mermaids Press

Mermaids’ appeal against the LGB Alliance’s charity status: Day 1

The hearing of Mermaids versus the Charity Commission regarding the status of the LGB Alliance began today with a two-minute silence to mark the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The judges decided on a number of administrative matters to do with the rest of the hearing.  It was decided that no witnesses would be called today (Friday 9 September) due to the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.  The judges also decided that attendees can livetweet a factual account of the proceedings.  Mermaids’ barristers took the court through a summary of the issues to be decided.  These…

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Mermaids Press

Mermaids’ appeal against the LGB Alliance’s charity status: The hearing starts tomorrow

Mermaids is challenging the decision by the Charity Commission to award the LGB Alliance charity status. The hearing starts on 9 September 2022. Since 1995, we have supported thousands of transgender, non-binary and gender-diverse children, young people and their families, and hear all the time how vital our work is.  It’s hard to grow up trans. And sadly, it’s getting even harder as some groups and individuals seek to undo the work that has been done on trans rights and trans inclusion. That’s why Mermaids is challenging the decision by the Charity Commission to award LGB Alliance charity status and…

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Mermaids’ Youth Advisory Panel

Mermaids is a charity supporting trans, non-binary and gender diverse young people and their families. We always aim to ensure young people are central to the work we’re doing. With this in mind, we’re creating a Youth Advisory Panel to ensure the voice of those we serve shape the charity’s services.  The panel will made up by 12 young people, aged 16-18 (on 1 August 2022) and will meet quarterly from October 2022 to May 2023.  We are looking for applicants who:  Have a passion for sharing their views Have time to commit to quarterly online meetings from October 2022 –…

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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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Mermaids Press

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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