{"id":814105,"date":"2022-09-26T16:01:27","date_gmt":"2022-09-26T16:01:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thecanary.co\/?p=1622783"},"modified":"2022-09-26T16:01:27","modified_gmt":"2022-09-26T16:01:27","slug":"transphobia-reaches-new-heights-as-trans-charity-mermaids-is-targeted-on-social-media","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/radiofree.asia\/2022\/09\/26\/transphobia-reaches-new-heights-as-trans-charity-mermaids-is-targeted-on-social-media\/","title":{"rendered":"Transphobia reaches new heights as trans charity Mermaids is targeted on social media"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Monday 26 September has seen many outraged transphobes posting on social media, in uproar about the trans charity Mermaids. It seems that everyone who reads the right-wing press has something to say, including renowned TERF<\/a> JK Rowling.<\/p>\n

Mermaids is an organisation providing vital support for transgender, non-binary and gender-diverse children and young people. But many are demanding that it is stripped of its charity status after an article in the\u00a0Telegraph.<\/em><\/p>\n

Of course, like much of the mainstream media, the Telegraph<\/em> is renowned for its “transphobia-riddled<\/a>” reporting. Its front page headline tells the world that Mermaids is sending out breast-binders to children without their parents’ consent. Moreover, the right-wing paper says<\/a>:<\/p>\n

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The Telegraph has uncovered evidence of the Mermaids online help centre offering advice to users who present themselves as young as 13 that controversial hormone-blocking drugs are safe and \u201ctotally reversible\u201d.<\/p>\n

In the last month alone, this newspaper has seen discussions in the charity\u2019s moderated forum for 12 to 15-year-olds on how to raise money to start taking drugs and the best way to take testosterone.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Trying to discredit Mermaids<\/h2>\n

In response, Mermaids has released a statement<\/a> saying:<\/p>\n

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In August 2022, an individual \u2013 possibly a journalist \u2013 tried to gain access to the Youth forums by pretending to be a 14-year-old in need of support, seemingly with the aim of discrediting Mermaids. This person was caught in the moderation process and has since been blocked.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

With regards to recommending chest binders, Mermaids added:<\/p>\n

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Some trans masculine, non-binary and gender diverse people experience bodily dysphoria, as a result of their chest, and binding, for some, helps alleviate that distress. Mermaids takes a harm reduction position with the understanding that providing a young person with a binder and comprehensive safety guidelines from an experienced member of staff is preferable to the likely alternative of unsafe practices and\/or continued or increasing dysphoria.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Transphobic Telegraph<\/em><\/h2>\n

Of course, people have called out the\u00a0Telegraph<\/em> and its supporters as transphobic. One person tweeted:<\/p>\n

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Friends, do not retweet or share the link to that Torygraph article stoking anti-trans panic about #Mermaids<\/a>. Do not give that newspaper the clicks or eyeballs, which make them money as well as fulfilling the goals of anti-trans hate groups. Repost the Mermaids statement instead.<\/p>\n

— Big Capybara Energy \"\ud83c\udf08\" \"\ud83e\udd84\" \"\ud83c\udf49\" \"\ud83e\udd73\" (@LMGM) September 26, 2022<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n