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Blog — Press Statements

Mermaids Press

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…

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Mermaids Press

Mermaids would like to update our service users and allies in light of recent events. Firstly, we have regrettably continued to receive a high volume of distressing, and in some cases threatening, calls, emails and web chat contacts as a result of some of the recent coverage. We must protect our staff from this unacceptable abuse, and therefore we will be closing the helpline service tomorrow (Wednesday 12 October) in order to give them respite. We will be resuming a normal service as soon as we can, but we are operating in a particularly challenging environment at present and there…

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Mermaids Press

We want to update you about the position in relation to Dr. Breslow, the former Trustee of Mermaids who resigned his position this week. We have explained that it was only on the 3rd October that we became aware of his participation in a 2011 conference that would have disqualified him from becoming a trustee. Once notified, we immediately launched an investigation and Dr Breslow tendered his notice that same day. We want to apologise for the distress and concern this news has caused.  It is clear that Dr. Breslow should never have been appointed to the board, and as…

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Mermaids Press

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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Mermaids Press

On Thursday 22 September, we were alerted to an upcoming piece in the Telegraph about Mermaids. We made the decision not to respond to the journalist’s request for comment but wanted to clarify our stance and offer some reassurance to anyone who might have concerns about some of the issues raised. Access to the forums We have robust security and moderation processes in place to ensure our forums are a safe space for trans, non-binary and gender diverse young people and their families. In August 2022, an individual – possibly a journalist – tried to gain access to the Youth…

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mermaids_writer

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…

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Mermaids Press

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…

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Mermaids Press

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…

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Mermaids Press

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…

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mermaids_writer

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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