Mermaids used to take a cautious approach to meeting the needs of vulnerable children. In 2009, their website included the statement ,”Gender Identity Disorders in infancy, childhood and adolescence are complex and have varied causes: in the majority of cases the eventual outcome will be homosexuality or bisexuality.”
Later, those references to same-sex orientation disappeared and Mermaids became an organisation that promoted, instead, the narrative of the ‘trans child’ – a new kind of child who must be prescribed ‘life-saving’ medications.
We believe that this change has been catastrophic for vulnerable young people. It is horrifying to consider how many children, distressed by their emerging same-sex sexual orientation, were persuaded by Mermaids that their bodies were ‘wrong’ and must be fixed by drugs, or even by surgery.
So we are pleased and relieved that the Charity Commission has issued statutory guidance that specifically instructs Mermaids to be led by the science and evidence of the Cass Review, rather than by contested and deeply problematic ideology.
The Cass Review’s recommendations must inform their policies and activities relating to breast binders, to puberty blockers and to their advice to children about socially transitioning. In each case, this will mean a retreat from the extremes of gender-identity ideology.
It remains hugely disappointing that Mermaids has for so long been feted by credulous celebrities, corporations, broadcasters and institutions; we hope this report into the charity’s many failings will give them pause.
We trust too that Mermaids will take the time to reflect on these findings. Clearly gender dysphoria is a real and significant problem for some young people, especially LGB teens. They deserve compassionate, evidence-based support, untainted by the zealotry of those who do not have children’s best interests at heart.
We thank the Charity Commission for being so thorough in its work.