Skip to content
openDemocracy
Subscribe

Mermaids appeal against LGB Alliance dismissed on technical grounds

‘The judges opted not to provide their views on whether or not the LGB Alliance should have charity status’

By Lou Ferreira
Mermaids appeal against LGB Alliance dismissed on technical grounds
Trans activists protest outside the LGB Alliance’s first annual conference in London, October 2021 | Mark Kerrison / Getty Images
Published:
Share

Mermaids’ appeal against the England & Wales Charity Commission’s decision to award the LGB Alliance charity status has been dismissed on technical grounds.

The trans youth charity took legal action against the decision in June 2021, backed by a coalition of LGBTQ+ organisations including the LGBT+ Consortium. It argued that, while the LGB Alliance (LGBA) claims to support the rights of lesbian, gay and bisexual people, its “real purpose is the denigration of trans people and the destruction of organisations that support them”.

Its activities cause “immeasurable harm” to an already marginalised community, including “encouraging discrimination against transgender people” and obstructing the work of registered LGBTQ+ groups, and does not pass the legal test for charity registration, a tribunal heard last year.

If you or someone you know is impacted by themes or subjects raised in this article, the following organisations can help.

Galop

Support for LGBTQ+ people who have experienced domestic or sexual abuse, hate crime, 'conversion practices' and other forms of violence.

Phone: 0800 999 5428. Website including live chat: galop.org.uk

Mermaids

Support and information for trans young people, and their families, friends and supportive communities. Helpline: 0808 801 0400 (Monday-Friday 9am-9pm). Website: Mermaids. Webchat, online help and support line: Contact Mermaids

Switchboard

National support line for anyone wishing to discuss topics related to their sexuality and gender identity including sexual health and relationships.

Phone: 0300 330 0630 (10am-10pm). Website: Switchboard

LGBT Foundation

A range of services, support and information for lesbian, gay, bi and trans people.

Phone: 0345 330 3030 (Daily 10am-10pm). Website: LGBT Foundation

The Rainbow Project

A range of services for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and/or asexual people and their families in Northern Ireland.

Phone: 028 9031 9030. Website: Rainbow Project

LGBT Health and Wellbeing

Services for LGBTQ+ people and their friends and families in Scotland.

Phone: 0300 123 2523 (Tue & Wed 12-9pm). Website: LGBT Health and Wellbeing

This article is published under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International licence. If you have any queries about republishing please contact us. Please check individual images for licensing details.

Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0