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Mermaids Press

An update on the week

Mermaids’ response to false claims in the media this week about the organisation and the services we provide We’re in the midst of a targeted, cynical attack on Mermaids and the services we provide, which seeks to distract us from the important work that we do, and to discredit the organisation. While aimed at Mermaids, we believe this to be an attack on the trans community as a whole, and an attempt to undermine the rights we have fought – and will continue to fight – so hard for.  This particular smear campaign began with the publication of a Telegraph…

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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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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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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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THE GOVERNMENT CONDONES TRANS CONVERSION ABUSE

Mermaids condemns the government’s decision to back-track on its promises to the LGBT+ communities to ban all forms of conversion abuse. By actively excluding trans and non-binary people from the ban, the government has decided to condone conversion abuse for our community. The government’s own data illustrates that trans people are at an unparalleled risk of being victim to this abhorrent practice. This decision allows conversion abusers to keep harming trans people without punishment. Such a decision secures decades of future abuse, pain and suffering. It is a dark moment in the history of LGBT+ rights in this country.  Notes…

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The Cass Review Interim Report: Mermaids’ Statement

The Cass Review’s Interim Report, published 10 March 2022, clearly recognises that NHS England’s current healthcare model is not fit for purpose and that trans children and young people deserve, but are not currently receiving, the same standard of care as everybody else.  Any healthcare pathway has to be informed by those it is there to help, here being trans, non-binary, gender diverse and/or gender exploring children and young people. We read the report from this perspective and in doing so we see these interim recommendations as a positive step toward much-needed change. The interim report from @TheCassReview has been…

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