In support of this one aim, we also intend to:
Helpline: 07020 935066 (12 noon - 9pm UK time, when staffed)
What we offer:
Active Mermaids members are mainly parents or young people - some of our children are transsexual, some are not. Some of our children have attended the Gender Identity Development Service of the Portman Trust, two of whose clinicians are in an advisory position on our Committee.
Please, browse through our pages to learn more about Gender Identity Issues in young people - the problems, and the heartaches that often accompany them. One of the biggest problems in families where there is a gender variant child can be misunderstandings, and difficulties in being able to talk to each other about the issues and feelings involved - we have tried here to address these particular issues, so please, read through as much as you can. Parents may find an insight into their children's feelings by reading some of the personal stories, and perhaps young adults may gain an insight into their parents' feelings by reading some of the articles that at first glance appear to be aimed at the parents only. Follow through some of the links to other sites, and you will gain a wider view of the subject.
Perhaps also it might go some way towards explaining transgender issues in adults, such as transvestism, and transsexualism - each adult transgendered person was once a gender variant child, but please never forget: a gender variant child or teenager will not necessarily grow up to be a transgendered adult.
Mermaids makes no charge for the support offered, and there is currently no membership charge - we therefore rely on donations. If you would like to support our work and make a donation, cheques payable to "Mermaids" and sent to:
BM MERMAIDS, LONDON, WC1N 3XX
would be very welcome - thank you.
We would also welcome contributions from young people for the Speak Out and Coming Out pages in the Young Voices section - please either use the snail mail address above, or email