Is Mermaids still able to support people in need? Yes, our helpline, webchat, email support and text support services are operating as normal. Our dedicated team of staff and volunteers are determined to offer more support not less during this period of uncertainty. However, some services which rely on group meetings and activities have had to be postponed or cancelled in the best interests of our service users, volunteers and staff. What services are closed or postponed? We have taken the difficult but necessary decision to cancel or postpone all group events or appearances with immediate effect to allow people…

Today, a new Conservative Government has been elected and many service users have been reaching out to us asking what this means for the future of trans and non-binary children and young people. As with any new Government, we see this as a fresh opportunity to work towards a better world for our service users.  Reform of the Gender Recognition Act is, of course, a major priority for us over the course of this term. We must ensure the reform process launched by the previous Conservative Party leader, Theresa May in 2018, is honoured and completed under Johnson’s Government in…

Recently, we’ve tried very hard to step away from the most degrading examples of anti-trans rhetoric in the national press and focus on the positive. Today, in the middle of what might feel like nothing short of an orchestrated onslaught, we feel we have no choice. We cannot stand silent amidst a slew of misleading stories, seemingly designed to undermine, frighten, alienate and demonise a vulnerable minority, including children. We have been approached for comment by all of the journalists responsible and it has been depressing, trying to offer fact-based, reasonable information. In truth, while a small number are simply too…