#StandWithMermaids Open Letter Recently in the media there have been a number of attacks on trans youth charity Mermaids, the most notable of which was in the Daily Mail. We the undersigned stand with Mermaids, and recognise their years of support that they have given the trans community since 1995. Stonewall said “Mermaids is a vital organisation that stands by the side of vulnerable young people and their parents, who are often unsure and uncertain of how to support their children. Without Mermaids, many young trans people and their families would feel lost and unsure of the help that is available to them. We have the utmost respect for its staff who continue to work tirelessly to ensure services are available for those that need it.” We also condemn the way these attacks are being pushed forward, the media has specifically focused their attacks on women, whether it being the female CEO of Mermaids, or the Mothers who access their services. We therefore highlight this not only as a trans rights issue, but also as a feminist issue. In summary, we support Mermaids, condemn the constant attacks on their reputation and support, condemn the attempts to discredit and undermine their work, and call for the Daily Mail to apologise. Signed, Individuals: Aimee Challenor, Paris Lees, Juno Roche, Christine Burns MBE, Maggie Chapman, Amelia Womack, Sian Berry AM, Larry Sanders, Christian Webb, Osh Gantly, Tara Hewitt, Alice Reeves, Lee-Anne Lawrance, Kathryn Driscoll, Jane Carnall, Elaine Gallagher, Florence Scott, Alexandra Devreux-Swift, Alexander Catt, Andrew Creak, Emily Blyth, Ronald Stewart, Sophie Cook, Kieron Merrett, Gabriel Neil, Stella Gardiner, Megan Key, Anna Crow, Luke Armitage, Jessica Ottowell, Iris Willis, Bethan Henshaw, Ayla Holdom, Natalie Washington, Andy Forster, Justine Smithies, Chandler Wilson, Jessica Speed, Jennifer Anderson, Rebecca White, Lisa Severn, Octavian Starr, Jayne Atkinson, Davina Morris, Melanie Rhianna Lewis. Joanne Elizabeth Mason, Audrey Girard Sarah Noble, Matt Hawkins, Helen Dale, Ruth Donna Mills, Sonia Katherine Mills, Charley Hasted, M. J. Symonds, Izzi Johnson, Nick Burr, Hannah Graham, Hannah Clare, Lauren Davies, Sam Murray, Sam Ashley Taylor, Anja Komatar, Irwin Wenzel, Kate Hutchinson, Molly Arthurs, Abigail Maxwell, Carol Steele, Sam Hope, Rob Noon, Jo Thomas, Tara Morris, Paige Mickley, Pip Williams, Samantha Payne, Fran Cowling, Olivia Donoghue, Kelly Chng, Sophia Botha, Debbie Hayton, Michael Cope, Robin Tester, Anna-Jayne Metcalfe, Sophie Kelly, Helen Islan, Sarah Brown, Stephen Kalisky, Susan Lewis, Kenneth Bardsley, Paige Reeves, Amy Taylor, Andreja Mclean, Sam Parr Chrissy Bassett Jane Gosden Adam Harmsworth Caroline ‘Tula’ Cossey Sahra Rae Taylor Laura J. Allard. Christine Danielle Anderson Sarah Lambert Sam Goacher Karen Pollock Tara Stone Thomas “Badger” Hill Natacha Kennedy Sharon Elliott Peter Barnett Jack Rudd, Sandra Owsnett, Christopher Napier, Vicky-Jane Gooding, Alexandra Denham David Court Faye Morrow Michael Richards Lizzie Harman Amy Stubbs Eola-Ystwyth Martinez Michael Richards Ludovic Foster Ethan Parker Louise Goldfinch, Katie Jones, Kate Rose, Alexandra Day, Annika Jacobs, Anna Chivers, Levi Darbyshire, Elizabeth Kasprzyk, E.Saxey, Kara Goldfinch, Sophie Bowden, Katherine Newsome, Rainbow Serina, James Avery, Olivia Thomas, Valery North, Lillian Jolicoeur, Cass Hoskins, Cohyn Hollamby , Sam James, Aby Hawker, Sabrina Poole, Lexi Charlotte Moth Kamen Turner, Jacqueline Elisabeth Caren, Suzi Rayner, Farrah Herbert, Kirsty Lewiis Rachel Reese Kate Adair Sarah Currier Malik Al Bahlani Rose Kirby Laurie Atkinson Lee Ponsonby Mark Newman Annie Wallace Claire Brand Nikita Parks Matias Loikala Andrea Cachia, Mark James Naomi Makin Heidi Stewart Mathew Wilkie Anna MacInnes Organisations: Transfigurations, Wipe Out Transphobia, LGBTIQA+ Greens, Young Greens of England and Wales, Young Greens LGBTIQA+ Liberation Committee LGBT Labour, LGBT Humanists, Trans Pride North Be:Trans Trans Pride South West Sparkle - The National Transgender Charity trans-staffordshire Global Butterflies Free Pride ------------------------- Aimee Challenor started this open letter 24 hours ago. To add your name, please go to: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1EVxLgtG7Oj0CxhdBBHVHEo2skLIQOYg5MTXCnXYMhEs/edit