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[[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 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]]
==Background==
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==
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==
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
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
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 <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 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>
==External links==
http://www.mermaidsuk.org.uk/


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

Revision as of 19:05, 1 April 2026

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 provides helpline support, online resources and community events for young people and families. It is a member of the LGBT Consortium.

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 [1].

Charity Commission investigation

In 2022 the Charity Commission opened a statutory inquiry into Mermaids, examining its governance and policies including guidance on chest binding [2].

In October 2022 a trustee, Dr Jacob Breslow of LSE, resigned following reports of his participation in a conference hosted by an organisation that had promoted services to paedophiles [3].

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 [4].

References

<references>

  1. ↑ Trans charity Mermaids loses challenge against LGB Alliance https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-65340857
  2. ↑ https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-63081644
  3. ↑ https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/trustee-of-the-transgender-charity-mermaids-quits-over-speech-to-paedophile-aid-group-jkjn2jrk9
  4. ↑ https://www.theguardian.com/society/2024/oct/24/trans-childrens-charity-told-to-rewrite-guidance-on-puberty-blockers Guardian 24 October 2024
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