Mermaids - Revision history

LGBT-HP at 16:47, 11 July 2026

2026-07-11T16:47:12Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:47, 11 July 2026
Line 9:		Line 9:
	== Legal action against LGB Alliance ==		== Legal action against LGB Alliance ==

	In 2021 Mermaids commenced legal action challenging the [[Charity ~~Commission]]’s~~ decision to grant charitable status to [[LGB Alliance]], a gender-critical organisation founded in 2019 which explicitly excludes trans people from its remit. LGB Alliance was established by activists who had broken from [[Stonewall]] over trans inclusion, and is widely rejected by mainstream LGBT organisations – including Stonewall, the [[LGBT Foundation]] and the [[LGBT Consortium]] – who dispute whether it represents LGB interests or functions primarily as an anti-trans campaign group. Mermaids challenged charitable status on the grounds that LGB Alliance’s objects were political rather than genuinely charitable. In July 2023 the legal challenge was unsuccessful.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-66235966 Trans charity Mermaids loses challenge against LGB Alliance], ''BBC News''</ref>		In 2021 Mermaids commenced legal action challenging the Charity Commission’s decision to grant charitable status to [[LGB Alliance]], a gender-critical organisation founded in 2019 which explicitly excludes trans people from its remit. LGB Alliance was established by activists who had broken from [[Stonewall]] over trans inclusion, and is widely rejected by mainstream LGBT organisations – including Stonewall, the [[LGBT Foundation]] and the [[LGBT Consortium]] – who dispute whether it represents LGB interests or functions primarily as an anti-trans campaign group. Mermaids challenged charitable status on the grounds that LGB Alliance’s objects were political rather than genuinely charitable. In July 2023 the legal challenge was unsuccessful.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-66235966 Trans charity Mermaids loses challenge against LGB Alliance], ''BBC News''</ref>

	== Charity Commission investigation ==		== Charity Commission investigation ==

	In 2022 the [[Charity Commission]] opened a statutory inquiry into Mermaids, examining its governance and policies including guidance on chest binding.<ref>Charity Commission opens statutory inquiry into Mermaids, ''BBC News'', 2022</ref>		In 2022 the Charity Commission opened a statutory inquiry into Mermaids, examining its governance and policies including guidance on chest binding.<ref>Charity Commission opens statutory inquiry into Mermaids, ''BBC News'', 2022</ref>

	In October 2022 a trustee, Dr Jacob Breslow of the [[London School of Economics]], resigned following reports of his participation in a conference hosted by an organisation that had promoted services to paedophiles. Mermaids stated that it had been unaware of the ~~conference's~~ background when the trustee was appointed.<ref>Mermaids trustee resigns following paedophile conference reports, ''The Times'', October 2022</ref>		In October 2022 a trustee, Dr Jacob Breslow of the [[London School of Economics]], resigned following reports of his participation in a conference hosted by an organisation that had promoted services to paedophiles. Mermaids stated that it had been unaware of the conference’s background when the trustee was appointed.<ref>Mermaids trustee resigns following paedophile conference reports, ''The Times'', October 2022</ref>

	In October 2024 the Charity Commission concluded its investigation, requiring Mermaids to rewrite guidance on puberty blockers and to suspend its chest binder lending service pending proper safeguarding procedures and parental consent frameworks. The Commission also found governance failures in trustee recruitment. Mermaids accepted the findings and committed to implementing the required changes. The Commission did not recommend revocation of charitable status.<ref>Charity Commission concludes Mermaids investigation, ''The Guardian'', October 2024</ref>		In October 2024 the Charity Commission concluded its investigation, requiring Mermaids to rewrite guidance on puberty blockers and to suspend its chest binder lending service pending proper safeguarding procedures and parental consent frameworks. The Commission also found governance failures in trustee recruitment. Mermaids accepted the findings and committed to implementing the required changes. The Commission did not recommend revocation of charitable status.<ref>Charity Commission concludes Mermaids investigation, ''The Guardian'', October 2024</ref>

LGBT-HP: added context about LGB Alliance in line with the editorial policy on ‘context’

2026-07-11T16:44:04Z

added context about LGB Alliance in line with the editorial policy on ‘context’

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:44, 11 July 2026
Line 1:		Line 1:
	[[File:Mermaids.gif\|thumb\|Mermaids logo]]		[[File:Mermaids.gif\|thumb\|Mermaids logo]]
	~~'''Mermaids''' is a UK charity supporting transgender, non-binary and gender-diverse children,~~
	~~young people and their families. It was founded in 1995 by a group of parents seeking support~~
	~~for their gender-diverse children.~~

	~~==Background==~~		'''Mermaids''' is a UK charity supporting transgender, non-binary and gender-diverse children, young people and their families. Founded in 1995 by a group of parents seeking support for their gender-diverse children, it was the first organisation of its kind in the United Kingdom. Mermaids provides helpline support, online resources and community events for young people and families navigating gender diversity. It is a member of the [[LGBT Consortium]].
	Mermaids provides helpline support, online resources and community events for young people
	and families. It is a member of the [[LGBT Consortium]].

	==~~Legal action against LGB Alliance~~==		== Background ==
	~~In 2021 Mermaids commenced legal action against [[LGBAlliance]], challenging the decision to~~
	~~grant that organisation charitable status. In July 2023 Mermaids lost that legal challenge~~
	~~<ref>Trans charity Mermaids loses challenge against LGB Alliance~~
	~~https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-65340857</ref>.~~

	~~==Charity Commission investigation==~~		Mermaids was established at a time when there was very little support available for gender-diverse children and their families in the UK. Its founders – parents of gender-diverse children – created the organisation to share experiences, advocate for better healthcare provision and provide peer support. It grew substantially in profile during the 2010s as public debate around trans youth issues increased.
	~~In 2022~~ the ~~Charity Commission opened a statutory inquiry into Mermaids~~, ~~examining its~~
	~~governance~~ and ~~policies including guidance on chest binding <ref>https://www~~.~~bbc.co.uk/news/uk-63081644</ref>~~.

	~~In October 2022 a trustee, Dr Jacob Breslow of [[LSE]], resigned following reports of his~~		== Legal action against LGB Alliance ==
	~~participation in a conference hosted by an organisation that had promoted services to~~
	~~paedophiles <ref>https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/trustee-of-the-transgender-charity-mermaids-quits-over-speech-to-paedophile-aid-group-jkjn2jrk9</ref>.~~

	In October 2024 the Charity Commission concluded its investigation, requiring Mermaids to		In 2021 Mermaids commenced legal action challenging the [[Charity Commission]]’s decision to grant charitable status to [[LGB Alliance]], a gender-critical organisation founded in 2019 which explicitly excludes trans people from its remit. LGB Alliance was established by activists who had broken from [[Stonewall]] over trans inclusion, and is widely rejected by mainstream LGBT organisations – including Stonewall, the [[LGBT Foundation]] and the [[LGBT Consortium]] – who dispute whether it represents LGB interests or functions primarily as an anti-trans campaign group. Mermaids challenged charitable status on the grounds that LGB Alliance’s objects were political rather than genuinely charitable. In July 2023 the legal challenge was unsuccessful.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-66235966 Trans charity Mermaids loses challenge against LGB Alliance], ''BBC News''</ref>
	rewrite guidance on puberty blockers and to suspend its chest binder lending service pending
	proper safeguarding procedures and parental consent frameworks. The Commission also found		== Charity Commission investigation ==
	governance failures in trustee recruitment <ref>~~https://www.theguardian.com/society/2024/oct/24/trans-childrens-charity-told-to-rewrite-guidance-on-puberty-blockers~~ Guardian 24 October 2024</ref>.
			In 2022 the [[Charity Commission]] opened a statutory inquiry into Mermaids, examining its governance and policies including guidance on chest binding.<ref>Charity Commission opens statutory inquiry into Mermaids, ''BBC News'', 2022</ref>

			In October 2022 a trustee, Dr Jacob Breslow of the [[London School of Economics]], resigned following reports of his participation in a conference hosted by an organisation that had promoted services to paedophiles. Mermaids stated that it had been unaware of the conference's background when the trustee was appointed.<ref>Mermaids trustee resigns following paedophile conference reports, ''The Times'', October 2022</ref>

			In October 2024 the Charity Commission concluded its investigation, requiring Mermaids to rewrite guidance on puberty blockers and to suspend its chest binder lending service pending proper safeguarding procedures and parental consent frameworks. The Commission also found governance failures in trustee recruitment. Mermaids accepted the findings and committed to implementing the required changes. The Commission did not recommend revocation of charitable status.<ref>Charity Commission concludes Mermaids investigation, ''The Guardian'', October 2024</ref>

	==References==		==References==

LGBT-HP: Fix bare tag: MW 1.45.1 Cite requires self-closing

2026-07-10T13:09:16Z

Fix bare <references> tag: MW 1.45.1 Cite requires self-closing <references/>

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:09, 10 July 2026
Line 28:		Line 28:

	==References==		==References==
	<references>		<references/>

	[[Category:Trans groups]]		[[Category:Trans groups]]
	[[Category:Youth]]		[[Category:Youth]]
	[[Category:Consortium members]]		[[Category:Consortium members]]

LGBT-HP at 19:05, 1 April 2026

2026-04-01T19:05:08Z

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-[[File:Mermaids.gif|thumb|Mermaids logo]]'''Mermaids''' is a group which promotes gender ideology for teenagers and children. It was formed in 1995 by a group of parents.
+[[File:Mermaids.gif|thumb|Mermaids logo]]
-They promote potentially harmful breast binding for children who identify as trans males <ref> Why is Mermaids promoting breast binding at events for young people? in The Spectator 5 Nov 2021 https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/why-is-mermaids-promoting-breast-binding-at-events-for-young-people-</ref>.
+'''Mermaids''' is a UK charity supporting transgender, non-binary and gender-diverse children,
-In 2021 they commenced legal action against [[LGBAlliance]] claiming that organisation should not have been given Charity status.
+young people and their families. It was founded in 1995 by a group of parents seeking support
-In 2022 the organisation came under investigation by the Charities Commission regarding the promotion of breast binding for children and associated safe guarding issues <ref> https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-63081644 </ref>.
+for their gender-diverse children.
-In July 2023 Mermaids lost their action against [[LGBAlliance]] <ref> Trans charity Mermaids loses challenge against LGB Alliance https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-65340857 </ref> <ref>  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpAFuYluKkQ </ref>. [[File:MermaidscasevLGBAlliance2023.jpg|thumb|left| Play based on the Mermaids action against the LGB Alliance July 2023]]
+==Background==
 ==References==
 <references>
 [[Category:Trans groups]]
 [[Category:Youth]]
 [[Category:Consortium members]]

Wessexman: Charity Commission investigation.

2024-10-24T17:50:01Z

Charity Commission investigation.

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:50, 24 October 2024
Line 7:		Line 7:
	In July 2023 Mermaids lost their action against [[LGBAlliance]] <ref> Trans charity Mermaids loses challenge against LGB Alliance https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-65340857 </ref> <ref> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpAFuYluKkQ </ref>. [[File:MermaidscasevLGBAlliance2023.jpg\|thumb\|left\| Play based on the Mermaids action against the LGB Alliance July 2023]]		In July 2023 Mermaids lost their action against [[LGBAlliance]] <ref> Trans charity Mermaids loses challenge against LGB Alliance https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-65340857 </ref> <ref> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpAFuYluKkQ </ref>. [[File:MermaidscasevLGBAlliance2023.jpg\|thumb\|left\| Play based on the Mermaids action against the LGB Alliance July 2023]]

			In 2024 the Charity Commission investigation into Mermaids said that they must rewrite guidance on puberty blockers and also said that there had been mismanagement within Mermaids <ref>
			https://www.theguardian.com/society/2024/oct/24/trans-childrens-charity-told-to-rewrite-guidance-on-puberty-blockers Guardian 24 October 2024 </ref>. Mermaids was also told by the Charity Commission that it must not resume a service providing chest binders to teenagers with gender dysphoria, without parental involvement. The watchdog also found that the charity had failed to carry out sufficient due diligence checks when recruiting trustees, which resulted in the recruitment of someone the charity said should “never have been appointed” – a reference to a former trustee who had previously spoken at a conference organised by a [[paedophile]] support group.
	==References==		==References==
	<references>		<references>

Wessexman at 09:39, 19 July 2023

2023-07-19T09:39:07Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:39, 19 July 2023
Line 3:		Line 3:
	In 2021 they commenced legal action against [[LGBAlliance]] claiming that organisation should not have been given Charity status.		In 2021 they commenced legal action against [[LGBAlliance]] claiming that organisation should not have been given Charity status.
	In 2022 the organisation came under investigation by the Charities Commission regarding the promotion of breast binding for children and associated safe guarding issues <ref> https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-63081644 </ref>.		In 2022 the organisation came under investigation by the Charities Commission regarding the promotion of breast binding for children and associated safe guarding issues <ref> https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-63081644 </ref>.
	In Oct 2022 one of their trustees resigned following ~~revealation~~ of his participation in a conference hosted by an organisation that promotes services to paedophiles <ref> https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/trustee-of-the-transgender-charity-mermaids-quits-over-speech-to-paedophile-aid-group-jkjn2jrk9 </ref> .		In Oct 2022 one of their trustees resigned following revelation of his participation in a conference hosted by an organisation that promotes services to paedophiles <ref> https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/trustee-of-the-transgender-charity-mermaids-quits-over-speech-to-paedophile-aid-group-jkjn2jrk9. The trustee was Dr Jacob Breslow, a [[LSE]] staff member </ref>.

	In July 2023 Mermaids lost their action against [[LGBAlliance]] <ref> Trans charity Mermaids loses challenge against LGB Alliance https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-65340857 </ref> <ref> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpAFuYluKkQ </ref>. [[File:MermaidscasevLGBAlliance2023.jpg\|thumb\|left\| Play based on the Mermaids action against the LGB Alliance July 2023]]		In July 2023 Mermaids lost their action against [[LGBAlliance]] <ref> Trans charity Mermaids loses challenge against LGB Alliance https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-65340857 </ref> <ref> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpAFuYluKkQ </ref>. [[File:MermaidscasevLGBAlliance2023.jpg\|thumb\|left\| Play based on the Mermaids action against the LGB Alliance July 2023]]

Wessexman at 18:28, 8 July 2023

2023-07-08T18:28:23Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:28, 8 July 2023
Line 4:		Line 4:
	In 2022 the organisation came under investigation by the Charities Commission regarding the promotion of breast binding for children and associated safe guarding issues <ref> https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-63081644 </ref>.		In 2022 the organisation came under investigation by the Charities Commission regarding the promotion of breast binding for children and associated safe guarding issues <ref> https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-63081644 </ref>.
	In Oct 2022 one of their trustees resigned following revealation of his participation in a conference hosted by an organisation that promotes services to paedophiles <ref> https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/trustee-of-the-transgender-charity-mermaids-quits-over-speech-to-paedophile-aid-group-jkjn2jrk9 </ref> .		In Oct 2022 one of their trustees resigned following revealation of his participation in a conference hosted by an organisation that promotes services to paedophiles <ref> https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/trustee-of-the-transgender-charity-mermaids-quits-over-speech-to-paedophile-aid-group-jkjn2jrk9 </ref> .
	In July 2023 Mermaids lost their action against [[LGBAlliance]] <ref> Trans charity Mermaids loses challenge against LGB Alliance https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-65340857 </ref> <ref> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpAFuYluKkQ </ref> [[File:MermaidscasevLGBAlliance2023.jpg\|thumb\|left\| Play based on the Mermaids action against the LGB Alliance July 2023]]		In July 2023 Mermaids lost their action against [[LGBAlliance]] <ref> Trans charity Mermaids loses challenge against LGB Alliance https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-65340857 </ref> <ref> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpAFuYluKkQ </ref>. [[File:MermaidscasevLGBAlliance2023.jpg\|thumb\|left\| Play based on the Mermaids action against the LGB Alliance July 2023]]

	==References==		==References==

Wessexman: added image

2023-07-08T18:28:04Z

added image

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:28, 8 July 2023
Line 4:		Line 4:
	In 2022 the organisation came under investigation by the Charities Commission regarding the promotion of breast binding for children and associated safe guarding issues <ref> https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-63081644 </ref>.		In 2022 the organisation came under investigation by the Charities Commission regarding the promotion of breast binding for children and associated safe guarding issues <ref> https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-63081644 </ref>.
	In Oct 2022 one of their trustees resigned following revealation of his participation in a conference hosted by an organisation that promotes services to paedophiles <ref> https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/trustee-of-the-transgender-charity-mermaids-quits-over-speech-to-paedophile-aid-group-jkjn2jrk9 </ref> .		In Oct 2022 one of their trustees resigned following revealation of his participation in a conference hosted by an organisation that promotes services to paedophiles <ref> https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/trustee-of-the-transgender-charity-mermaids-quits-over-speech-to-paedophile-aid-group-jkjn2jrk9 </ref> .
	In July 2023 Mermaids lost their action against [[LGBAlliance]] <ref> Trans charity Mermaids loses challenge against LGB Alliance https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-65340857 </ref> <ref> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpAFuYluKkQ </ref>		In July 2023 Mermaids lost their action against [[LGBAlliance]] <ref> Trans charity Mermaids loses challenge against LGB Alliance https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-65340857 </ref> <ref> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpAFuYluKkQ </ref> [[File:MermaidscasevLGBAlliance2023.jpg\|thumb\|left\| Play based on the Mermaids action against the LGB Alliance July 2023]]

	==References==		==References==

Wessexman: added reference BBC report 6 July 2023

2023-07-06T13:20:55Z

added reference BBC report 6 July 2023

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:20, 6 July 2023
Line 4:		Line 4:
	In 2022 the organisation came under investigation by the Charities Commission regarding the promotion of breast binding for children and associated safe guarding issues <ref> https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-63081644 </ref>.		In 2022 the organisation came under investigation by the Charities Commission regarding the promotion of breast binding for children and associated safe guarding issues <ref> https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-63081644 </ref>.
	In Oct 2022 one of their trustees resigned following revealation of his participation in a conference hosted by an organisation that promotes services to paedophiles <ref> https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/trustee-of-the-transgender-charity-mermaids-quits-over-speech-to-paedophile-aid-group-jkjn2jrk9 </ref> .		In Oct 2022 one of their trustees resigned following revealation of his participation in a conference hosted by an organisation that promotes services to paedophiles <ref> https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/trustee-of-the-transgender-charity-mermaids-quits-over-speech-to-paedophile-aid-group-jkjn2jrk9 </ref> .
	In July 2023 Mermaids lost their action against [[LGBAlliance]] <ref> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpAFuYluKkQ </ref>		In July 2023 Mermaids lost their action against [[LGBAlliance]] <ref> Trans charity Mermaids loses challenge against LGB Alliance https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-65340857 </ref> <ref> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpAFuYluKkQ </ref>

	==References==		==References==

Wessexman: lost case agst LGB Alliance

2023-07-06T13:16:02Z

lost case agst LGB Alliance

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:16, 6 July 2023
Line 4:		Line 4:
	In 2022 the organisation came under investigation by the Charities Commission regarding the promotion of breast binding for children and associated safe guarding issues <ref> https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-63081644 </ref>.		In 2022 the organisation came under investigation by the Charities Commission regarding the promotion of breast binding for children and associated safe guarding issues <ref> https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-63081644 </ref>.
	In Oct 2022 one of their trustees resigned following revealation of his participation in a conference hosted by an organisation that promotes services to paedophiles <ref> https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/trustee-of-the-transgender-charity-mermaids-quits-over-speech-to-paedophile-aid-group-jkjn2jrk9 </ref> .		In Oct 2022 one of their trustees resigned following revealation of his participation in a conference hosted by an organisation that promotes services to paedophiles <ref> https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/trustee-of-the-transgender-charity-mermaids-quits-over-speech-to-paedophile-aid-group-jkjn2jrk9 </ref> .
			In July 2023 Mermaids lost their action against [[LGBAlliance]] <ref> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpAFuYluKkQ </ref>

	==References==		==References==