Today was the first day of our resumed hearing in the case of Mermaids vs Charity Commission, and we began with submissions from Michael Gibbon KC on behalf of Mermaids. He submitted that LGBA is, in the words of co-founder Bev Jackson, “an organisation to challenge the dominance of those promoting the damaging theory of gender identity”. Mr Gibbon also outlined Mermaids’ standing to bring the case. We then moved on to submissions from Iain Steele, representing the Charity Commission. Mr Steele made submissions on the relevant law, and suggested that the standing test should be applied narrowly. We’ll be…

Day 5 concluded the witness evidence of the LGB Alliance (LGBA). Continuing with co-founder Kate Harris, the barrister for Mermaids questioned her on the articles of association of the LGBA, as well as her understanding of definitions surrounding same-sex attraction.  Mermaids’ barrister then questioned her on the activities of the LGBA after the granting of their charitable status and the nature of their public communications.  We then moved on to the witness evidence of Eileen Gallagher, the chair of the board of trustees of LGBA. This focused on the activities of LGBA, namely hosting their conference as well as other…

On the fourth day of the hearing of Mermaids and the Charity Commission regarding the charitable status of the LGB Alliance, we heard evidence from LGB Alliance’s co-founders Bev Jackson and Kate Harris. The day began with the continuation of Ms Jackson’s evidence regarding the formation of the LGB Alliance, the initial documentation evidencing that formation, and the early campaigns and activities of the LGBA. The second witness of the day was Kate Harris who began by detailing the results of surveys regarding sexuality demographics of their subscribers. Ms Harris was then questioned on the founding of LGB Alliance, the…

Today was the third day of the hearing of Mermaids and the Charity Commission regarding the charitable status of the LGB Alliance.  We heard evidence on behalf of Mermaids from John Nicolson MP and Chair of Mermaids Dr Belinda Bell, and from Bev Jackson, co-founder of the LGB Alliance.  The focus of the questioning of Mr Nicolson was on his experience of the reform of the Gender Recognition Act in Scotland. They then spoke about LGB Alliance’s campaign materials and what he found objectionable about those.  They also talked about Mr Nicolson’s tweets and his experience of social media “pile…

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…