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Blog — Young People Friendly

Annabel Mulliner

How my favourite teacher helped me to accept myself as a teenager

Johanna (she/her) reflects on how a quiet act of allyship from her favourite teacher made a world of difference to her while she was closeted at school. Quiet support at school made a world of difference to me as a closeted trans teenager. I was 17, aware that I was not cisgender, and absolutely terrified. Although I felt unable to truly come out, I still experimented with my gender expression, namely by maintaining long hair and painted nails. In my sixth and final year of high school I took Advanced Higher Drama and began to show a keen interest in…

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Mermaids Press

Exploring your trans future

Mermaids’ Youth Advocacy Manager Lee and members of our Youth Advisory Panel look back on TRANS(CEND), a day of positivity, inspiration and joy In March this year, 34 young trans people arrived in Sheffield to take part in our event TRANS(CEND), an interactive day aimed at trans young people aged 16-19.  The theme of the day was “exploring your trans future” with the main objective being to advise and inspire trans youth regarding their futures, whether that be employment, education or other life choices.  The day started bright and early with registration at 9.30am. Young people had travelled from as…

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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,…

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Mermaids Press

What’s going on with Gender Recognition? A Mermaids Explainer

There’s been a lot going on with legal gender recognition reform over the past weeks. We know this has left many trans young people and their families feeling worried about the implications of the recent statement made by Kemi Badenoch, Minister for Women and Equalities, as well as reports that the UK Government may block Scottish gender recognition reform.  Here we answer some of the most pressing questions raised by our community:  What changes have been announced to the UK’s Gender Recognition Act (2004)? The UK Government has announced its intention to update the list of countries whose Gender Recognition…

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mermaids_writer

Mermaids’ Youth Advisory Panel

Mermaids is a charity supporting trans, non-binary and gender diverse young people and their families. We always aim to ensure young people are central to the work we’re doing. With this in mind, we’re creating a Youth Advisory Panel to ensure the voice of those we serve shape the charity’s services.  The panel will made up by 12 young people, aged 16-18 (on 1 August 2022) and will meet quarterly from October 2022 to May 2023.  We are looking for applicants who:  Have a passion for sharing their views Have time to commit to quarterly online meetings from October 2022 –…

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Mermaids Press

Virgin Radio Pridecast: Living Authentically – Trans Truths

Radio and TV presenter Stephanie Hirst takes a candid look into the unspoken issues surrounding transgender people.  Featuring: Paris Munro, Cleo Madeleine and several figures from the trans and non-binary community, we bust some of the myths and misconceptions about trans people and ask the difficult questions that need to be heard.  Plus, we join Lee Lester from the Mermaids, as he holds a discussion with members of the public. Listen to the full episode here. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mermaids (@mermaidsgender)

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mermaids_writer

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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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….

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Carrie Lyell

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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mermaids_writer

Banning Conversion Therapy and Single-Sex Space Guidance explained live

Three of #TeamMermaids sat down on Instagram to talk about some of the most recent trans news stories that have taken place over the past couple of weeks. They talked about the ban on conversion ‘therapy’ and the EHRC’s Same-Sex Guidelines.  The chat talks about what has happened, what we are doing to support trans youth and their families, what you can do to help and most importantly some advice on what you can do to keep yourself safe. The chat was youth-focused and great for trans youth, parents, carers and professionals. Watch here: View this post on Instagram A…

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