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Blog — News

Mermaids Press

Introducing our new CEO

Mermaids appoints Johanna Hardy as new Chief Executive Officer   Mermaids, the UK charity supporting transgender, non-binary and gender-diverse children, young people and their families, is delighted to announce the appointment of Johanna Hardy (she/her) as its new Chief Executive Officer.  Jo will be taking up the role in November 2025, bringing more than 20 years of leadership experience in the charity sector. Her career includes senior roles at Young Minds, Gingerbread, Contact and Mencap, with a strong focus on children, families, mental health and marginalised communities.    Over the course of her career, Jo has led national support lines, face-to-face family…

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Mermaids Press

Statement in response to the EHRC interim update 

Over the weekend, the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) published an “interim update” following the Supreme Court judgment. This update isn’t statutory, which means that it’s not the law, and can’t be enforced.   It is likely that providers following this update are at risk of unlawful discrimination.   We are deeply concerned about this interim update, which will have significant negative impacts for trans, non-binary and intersex children, young people and adults, from where they get changed for PE, to which toilets they use at school or in public and even which youth organisations and clubs they can join.  No…

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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

New name, same support: Mermaids’ John on why we have renamed our support line

Hi, my name’s John and I work on Mermaids’ support line. I’m a non-binary trans man living in Staffordshire with my fiancée. I love reading and listening to podcasts, especially if they are about history and folklore! My co-workers know me as the one with lots of Oodies (a type of wearable, hooded blanket) they joke that I have one for every day of the week!   I remember when I was eighteen someone asked me what my dream job was. I said it would be working for an LGBTQ+ organisation but that it would probably never happen. Around Christmas 2020…

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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

Mermaids’ statement on the Charity Commission report’s findings

Statement from our Chair of Trustees, Kathryn Downs  We are relieved that the Charity Commission Inquiry which began nearly two years ago is finally over. The report states, as we anticipated, that there is no finding of misconduct at Mermaids.  The Commission has also confirmed, as we have repeatedly asserted, that we have not provided medical advice or acted improperly in our work with children, young people and their families.    We want to thank all our staff, volunteers and generous supporters who have ensured we have continued to provide high quality support and advocacy to trans young people, maintaining our…

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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 support line. 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

Statement on General Election result

Our Trans Youth Manifesto, which we published in June, outlines what young people need from their elected representatives, and their message is clear: they want to feel safe, welcome and protected, and to live in a world where they are celebrated, not debated.  We hope the new Prime Minister will be true to his word, treating trans people with dignity and respect, and call on his new government to centre the needs and voices of trans young people in conversations that affect them.  We will do all we can to make sure the voices of young people are heard in…

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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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