Mermaids is one of Britain’s most controversial trans charities, yet its overarching aim is hard to fault. The organisation says it wants ‘to create a world where gender diverse children and young people can be themselves and thrive’. To that end, its goal is ‘to relieve the mental and emotional stress’ of transgender kids. Unfortunately that laudable objective is hard to square with what it tells vulnerable children who identify as transgender.
The organisation has recently put out a ‘help sheet’ in light of guidance issued by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC). Mermaids says it is ‘not happy’ with the EHRC document because ‘it is not inclusive enough of trans people’. Yet its own guidance risks confusing those it seeks to help.
‘Know your rights!’, it announces boldly. Under a section detailing what to do if ‘someone asks you to leave a facility’, such as a women’s toilet, it suggests trans youngsters call 999 if they feel unsafe.
Might a more appropriate title for this guidance have been ‘Take other people’s rights!’? Single-sex and separate-sex facilities are provided for good reasons.
Britain’s best politics newsletters
You get two free articles each week when you sign up to The Spectator’s emails.
Already a subscriber? Log in
Comments
Join the debate for just £1 a month
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for £3.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just £1 a monthAlready a subscriber? Log in