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Blog — Make a Change

Mermaids Press

Updated Schools’ Guidance: A Mermaids Explainer

On 12 Feb, the Department for Education opened a consultation on proposed changes to the statutory guidance Keeping children safe in education (KCSIE). This draft guidance makes new recommendations in relation to trans, non-binary and gender diverse students. This new draft leaves gaps and raises further questions, and we believe some of the recommendations, which would become statutory guidance, pose risks to the wellbeing of trans children and young people. Wellbeing of the child The draft guidance recommends that when a child requests support with social transition from their school, that schools should be flexible and respond by considering the “best…

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Mermaids Press

Do we still need National Coming Out Day?

Ahead of National Coming Out Day, Taylor, one of Mermaids’ Youth Advisory Panellists, shares his mixed feelings of disappointment and hope surrounding this calendar moment. As National Coming Out Day presents itself on the horizon once again, I am faced with polarising feelings. One half of my heart takes on a cynical perspective. Have we not progressed enough as a society to leave the need for a day celebrating declaring your identity to the world behind? The geopolitical state of the world grounds me when that question arises, with an atmosphere scarily echoing fascism erupting across the USA and marginalised…

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Mermaids Press

EHRC Consultation Guidance

The Equality and Human Rights Commission is currently consulting on changes to its Code of Practice for services, public functions and associations. These changes have been made following the Supreme Court Judgment on the definition of sex in the Equality Act 2010. We’ve teamed up with TransActual and The Equality Network to produce some guidance to help you respond to the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s draft code of practice. We are deeply concerned by this draft and the impact it would have on trans children and young people if implemented as statutory guidance. We are encouraging our communities and…

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Mermaids Press

Supporting trans people at work this Trans Day of Visibility

At Mermaids, we believe that everyone should feel supported at work, cared for at school, and taken seriously at the doctors. Yet we know, this is too often not the case for many trans people across the UK.To create a world where trans people can thrive, we must support the people who provide support to our community.At a time where trans people are facing growing hostility just for being themselves, it’s so important that employers, educators and other professionals stand up for inclusion.Recent research by TUC revealed that just one in three trans people shared that they are trans with…

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Mermaids Press

The Sullivan Review and the collection of data about gender: a Mermaids Explainer

Every person, no matter their gender or their background, has the right to be referred to in a way that allows them to access public services safely and without fear.   When we collect data about people’s gender and sex, we need systems that respect how individuals wish to be described, recognising that not everyone’s bodies – both those who are trans and those who are not – fit neatly within a sex or gender binary.   We are concerned that, if the Sullivan Review’s recommendations are implemented, public data collection would become less reliable – denying trans people the right…

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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 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 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

The new restrictions on puberty blockers in the UK: A Mermaids Explainer

On 29 May 2024, the Government introduced two pieces of regulation which restrict how trans children and young people under 18 years old can access some medications (GnRH analogues) which delay the effects of puberty as a result of a diagnosis of gender incongruence or gender dysphoria. These medicines consist of or contain buserelin, gonadorelin, goserelin, leuprorelin acetate, nafarelin or triptorelin. We will call these GnRH analogues throughout this information to prevent confusion with other medications.  This legislation applies in England, Wales and Scotland.  Following the Government’s announcement, NHS England wrote to the parents and guardians of all young people…

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