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A transgender charity under fire is reportedly offering advice to 16-year-olds on how to change their name without their parents knowing.
The Charity Commission has confirmed it is “assessing” concerns about mermaids after they were accused of giving young girls breast flattening devices against their parents’ will.
It has now emerged that the group has partnered with Latham & Watkins LLP, the world’s second-largest law firm, to advise 16- and 17-year-olds on how to legally change their name.
The Telegraph reported that every quarter there is an online clinic where teens can “just attend” and lawyers can “answer your questions.” The last clinic was on September 5.
An ad reads: ‘You can also change the title, such as ‘Miss’, ‘Mr’ and ‘Mx’. With this you can have all documents of yourself or your child, such as passport, bank account, medical data, changed to the new name.’
MailOnline has contacted Latham & Watkins LLP for comment.
The Charity Commission has confirmed it is “assessing” concerns about mermaids after they were accused of giving young girls breast flattening devices against their parents’ will. Pictured: Mermaids CEO Susie Green
It comes as Harry Potter author JK Rowling criticized celebrities and organizations that had publicly supported the charity without doing their due diligence, while other critics called for an official investigation into their practices.
Celebrities who have publicly supported Mermaids include the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Harry Potter star Emma Watson and Jameela Jamil.
Mermaids staff offered to send a breast strap to a girl they thought was only 14 after being told her mother wasn’t allowed to use one.
According to the research of the Daily Telegramthe charity has offered binders to children as young as 13, despite their parents saying they are against the practice.
The paper also said the charity’s online help center tells children presenting as young as 13 and 14 that hormone-blocking drugs are safe and “completely reversible” – a claim that experts have refuted as there is little evidence of the long-term. . impact of the powerful drugs.
Mermaids, a taxpayer funded group that supports transgender children and their families, provides training for schools and some NHS trusts many of them are facing calls to cut ties with the organisation.
It comes as Harry Potter author JK Rowling brought down celebrities and organizations that had publicly supported the charity without doing their ‘due diligence’
Breast binding, also known as breast binding, is the flattening of breasts through the use of constricting materials. The term also refers to the material used in this Act.
The ultra-tight garments can cause ‘terrible’ health problems, including breathing and breastfeeding problems, chronic back pain and broken ribs, increasing the risk of a lung puncture.
Meanwhile, the NHS acknowledges a lack of research on the long-term effects of puberty blockers and says it is not known whether they ‘affect the development of the teenage brain or the bones of children’.
Campaigners called on regulators to step in and launch an investigation into what they called “protecting red flags.”
A spokesperson for the Charity Commission said: ‘In general, allegations involving vulnerable young people are serious in nature and our guidelines are clear – protection should be a core priority for all charities and trustees.
“We are aware of concerns about Mermaids’ services and are reviewing the information to determine whether or not this is a Commission matter.”
On its website, the regulator says it identifies and assesses risks by focusing on “the type and extent of damage that could arise if the risk materialises.”
Mermaid staff offered to send a breast strap to a girl they thought was only 14 after being told not to use one by her mother (image above)
Journalist Sonia Sodha said there were ‘a lot of people in the NHS and the Government who should be deeply ashamed’ for their role in promoting or collaborating with Mermaids
It adds: ‘This takes into account, among other things, the size, profile and activities of the charity concerned.’
Children’s author JK Rowling spoke out about the controversy, claiming that celebrities and organizations that had supported Mermaids now need to think about that support.
Journalist Sonia Sodha said there were ‘a lot of people in the NHS and the government who should be deeply ashamed’ of their role in promoting or working with Mermaids.
Rowling replied, “Not to mention companies and celebrities who have cheered on Mermaids without the slightest care.”
In 2019, Prince Harry met with Susie Green, CEO of Mermaids, to discuss their ‘important’ work after the Royal Foundation invited them to join its efforts to tackle mental health issues.
At the time, Green labeled the Duke of Sussex’s support as “hugely beneficial.”
The Royal Foundation of the Dukes and Duchess of Cambridge and the Dukes and Duchess of Sussex also called Mermaids an “important organisation.”