Speak to a member of the Mermaids team. 08088010400

Blog — True Life

Mermaids Press

A day with the UN’s Independent Expert on SOGI

Elijah, a member of Mermaids’ Youth Advisory Panel, had the opportunity to give evidence to Mr Victor Madrigal Borloz, the United Nations’ Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI), during his visit to the UK.  Victor Madrigal-Borloz visited the UK to listen to a range of stakeholders, including Mermaids, as part of his report into the human rights of LGBT+ people in the UK.  Now that the Independent Expert’s end of mission statement (TW: references to suicide) is released, Elijah recounts his experience and what the day signified for him personally. As…

Read news

Mermaids Press

Levi’s story: How I am challenging the lack of trans representation on screen

Levi, a young trans person, on why telling our stories is more important than ever I always knew that I wanted to make a film about being trans, since I came out almost six years ago.  My love for documentaries started when I was 12 years old. I sat in front of my TV and turned on a short programme called I am Leo. Unknowingly, this documentary about a trans boy seeking hormone blockers helped me realise that there was something beyond a “tomboy.” It was the first time that I related to somebody, and ever since viewing that show,…

Read news

Mermaids Press

To Be A Trans Man: A love letter to trans masculinity 

Mermaids’ Luan meets writer Ezra Woodger to talk about his new book, To Be A Trans Man  Ezra Woodger’s To Be A Trans Man was published earlier this month.  It is a refreshing exploration of trans men’s lives that asks, what is masculinity and how do trans men and trans masculine people experience and express their masculinity.  View this post on Instagram A post shared by ezra john (@theezrajohn) In the book, Ezra talks to eight trans contributors who share their views on masculinity and enter detailed discussion on a range of topics such as their experiences growing up.  There…

Read news

mermaids_writer

My residential story

From service user to role model, 20-year-old moss (they/he) reflects on how important our residential weekends have been on their journey As I traveled to my first residential in an anxious state, navigating through London with my mum by my side, I wondered whether I would fit in. I was unsure of who I was going to meet or how I would be able to talk to so many people I had only just met. I went with little expectation and a lot of nervous feelings. Meeting my family What I didn’t know was that these people were my family….

Read news

Mermaids Press

TDOV: Visibility is the beginning, liberation is the goal – and we can only achieve it together

Today (31 March) is Trans Day of Visibility (TDOV) a day where around the world we celebrate the accomplishments of trans, gender non-conforming and non-binary people while raising awareness of the work that still needs to be done to achieve trans liberation. Over recent years, we’ve seen a rise in anti-trans rhetoric from legislation to the media. At Mermaids, we wanted to look towards the future and ask the trans community and our allies what their hopes are and what they commit to doing to make the world a better place for trans people. Our Helpline Service Officers play a…

Read news

mermaids_writer

How To Be A Girl

An exclusive extract from Marlo Mack’s touching new memoir When the world split wide open, it was a November evening. We had just walked in the front door and were shedding the day’s damp coats and bags. Outside, the Seattle sky was preparing for an early bedtime, transforming the cloud ceiling from old-pillow gray to the color of wet ash. I reached out to flip on the lights and felt my child slip his hand into mine. “Mama,” he said, “something went wrong in your tummy.” I heard my purse hit the floor. “It did?” “Yes,” he said. “And it…

Read news

mermaids_writer

Conversion Therapy: Louie’s Story

Content warning: This article contains reference to abuse. Please visit mermaidsuk.org.uk/ct-support if you need to talk to someone. I was 19 at the time of my conversion therapy experience. I was having a same-sex relationship with another member of my church congregation, and we had been found out by a senior leader in the church. My whole world was thrown upside down.  Before that day, I was a respected member of the church. I had a job as the church youth worker, I was a respected Sunday worship leader, and was living with the Vicar’s family. Young people in the…

Read news

mermaids_writer

A day in the life of: a Mermaids Helpline Service Officer

Happy New Year! Welcome to the second instalment of our Day In The Life series. Here, we spotlight the important work being done by Mermaids and the people who make the charity what it is. Meet Kerry (she/her), one of our Helpline Services Officers, who marks her fourth year at Mermaids this spring. Kerry started out as a volunteer before joining the charity as a staff member. Today, you will find her on the frontline, answering your calls or replying to messages over webchat. Whatever the problem, she’ll be here for you with a kind and supportive ear. Read on to…

Read news

mermaids_writer

Miles For Mermaids: In their own words

Abby, Danielle and Verity share their Miles For Mermaids stories Our challenge event Miles For Mermaids is back and better than ever!  With different distance options to suit all abilities, these virtual events are designed so that you can support the vital work we do while moving your body at a time, place and pace that suits you.  And best of all, we’ve got a brand new medal for 2022.  We caught up with three proud medal-winners – Abby, Danielle and Verity – to hear what inspired them to take on their Miles For Mermaids challenges, the hurdles they encountered…

Read news

mermaids_writer

Trans joy: Our highlights of 2021

It’s been an ugly year in many ways, not least for the trans community. But even in the darkest of times, there is light. Whether it was the Court of Appeal overturning Bell v Tavistock, a huge moment of relief for trans kids and their families, non-binary representation on TV in shows like Sex Education and Feel Good, small gestures of allyship from the likes of Billy Bragg and Lorraine Kelly, or Joshua Cavallo shutting down the LGBA in the most perfect way, there was plenty that put a smile on our faces in 2021.  To mark Trans Awareness Week…

Read news