The Scottish Government is under fire for giving controversial trans charity Mermaids the opportunity to influence policy, including on gender self-identification which is currently being debated in Holyrood.
Recently published documents revealed that Mermaids activists met with civil servants last June, after the group contacted Nicola Sturgeon for a meeting to “develop a network of trans inclusive lawyers across the UK” and “input on policy if and where possible”.
Mermaids is currently under investigation by the Charity Commission. One of its trustees was also forced to resign recently over revelations that he had promoted paedophilia.
Concerns ignored
Mermaids enquired about contributing to the formation of the gender self-ID Bill, and asked if the Government intended to legally challenge the prescription of puberty blockers to children.
The Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill plans to extend ‘sex swaps’ to 16-year-olds, whilst also removing the need for medical evidence and reducing the two-year waiting period to three months for under 18s.
Holyrood’s equalities committee agreed to double the waiting period to six months for 16 and 17-year-olds, but rejected an amendment to remove them from the legislation.
To date the Scottish Government has resisted calls to exclude 16 and 17-year-olds from the Bill, including those from the Equality and Human Rights Commission.
‘First priority’
Scottish Conservative MSP Rachael Hamilton commented: “Given the safeguarding fears that have recently come to light over this organisation, many people will be concerned to see the influence they may have had on Scottish government policy.
“The safety and wellbeing of children should always be the government’s first priority. Now that Mermaids’ activities have come under scrutiny, it’s only right that the SNP government review any and all guidance promoting or influenced by the charity.”
Although the Westminster Government has removed Mermaids from its list of mental health resources for schools, the charity is still promoted in education transgender guidance for Scotland.
Safeguarding
Mermaids has come under increasing fire over recent months after the Charity Commission for England and Wales opened an investigation into the group following revelations that it had been sending binders to girls as young as 13 without their parents’ knowledge.
In October, Dr Jacob Breslow resigned as a trustee of Mermaids after attention was brought to a paper he delivered in 2011 that attempted to normalise sexual acts with children.
Later that month, it was also revealed the group employed a man who had posed for highly sexualised photographs and posted them online.
Darren Mew, who had worked as a Digital Engagement Officer for the group, posted an ‘upskirt’ picture of himself on Instagram with the caption: “Sorry I can’t hear you. I’m just out here living my fantasy” alongside the hashtag #nonbinaryfinery.
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