National Autistic Society and Mermaids [Title edited by MNHQ]

[GColdtimer]

My friend just posted this on Facebook this morning. She isn't on MN so I have her permission to share. She would really like more people, especially people with ASD or who have children with ASD, to write to NAS thanking them for their willingness to listen and their agreement that Mermaids is not reputable.

This is really great news so please can we keep this bumped and shared. Thank you.

If posters on the SEN board would like to share that would also be great (if appropriate).

Dear XXXX ,

Thank you for your feedback regarding the Gender and autism page on our website.

I’m writing to let you know that I’ve raised your concerns regarding Mermaids UK, one of the organisations we link to on our Gender and autism page, with a number of teams within the National Autistic Society. In light of the concerns raised in your message, and of other feedback that we have received, we have decided to remove all links to Mermaids UK from our website, while we take the time to consult with relevant professionals and to reconsider which organisations we wish to place links to on our website.

As such, our Web Team are working to remove all links to Mermaids UK from our website as soon as possible. Please do be aware, however, that, as we are currently in the process of updating our website to reflect our new branding and organisational identity, it may take a few days for this to be actioned.

Thank you again for bringing this to our attention, and I hope that you are satisfied with the actions we are taking in light of the concerns that you have raised.

Kind regards,

National Autistic Society

[Edited by MNHQ to remove personal info]

This is promising, thank you for sharing.

That is excellent news! It's great to see a charity actually applying some critical thinking.

What sort of concerns did you raise?

Well done to to your friend for pursing that.

Fingers crossed their consultation with other professionals comes to the same conclusion.

I am borrow this to add to my file when I approach the head at my DDs special school.

Wow that's fantastic! Let's hope more organisations see the whole evil ideology of Mermaids.

Oh, hooray for the NAS! So glad that they are taking a stand on this.

A breath of fresh air in this debate. An organisation that will listen and look into the issues, rather than doggedly sticking to its original decision.

Wonderful news! Would it be inappropriate to write to them if I am not autistic or have any children with autism but often work with young children who are autistic?

That's great news. People may well be unaware of the truly questionable outlook of Mermaids and Stonewall. Neither of these organisations have any business consulting with or advising other bodies. It's good the NAS are taking a closer look.

Oh fantastic! Especially given that ND children appear to be the targets of certain activists.

I’m glad the NAS aren’t buying it.

Wow! Well done to your friend and the others who complained! Wonder if we can get this in the papers?

Are you able to share this on Twitter? Thankfully some professionals seem to be able to see through Mermaids!

You don’t know how happy this makes me!! Thanks for letting us know. So so pleased.

This is brilliant. The moment one charity steps away from Mermaids I'm sure others will too. Well done to all those who campaigned.

What did your friend write that seems to have had such an effect? If you could post a template letter here I'm wondering whether we could adapt and use it to approach other charities to whom it may apply.

I would be particularly interested in approaching one of the local councils which is bringing in transguidance packs heavily infuenced by Mermaids. If they were to be told that the National Autistic Society was dropping Mermaids, and why, they might want to think again. Safeguarding pupils on the autistic spectrum from abuse could be a way of preventing the spread of transganda.

Flora yes I am sure it would be appropriate

itsallgoingtobefine - I didn't write the letter as have no connections to NAS but my friend did. I can ask her to share her letter. Will post back if she is happy to do so.

Fabulous. At least some organisations are starting to see what Mermaids really is.

Really pleased about this. 😀There should be no promotion of this 'wrong toy/wrong clothes = drugs and surgery' charity to young people who inherently struggle with the concept of gender. Well done to your mate.

I'm very happy about this.

But I am worried about the backlash they met get. I doubt Mermaids will be gracious.

Good news

OK, it was a very short letter but obviously struck a nerve.

Dear NAS,

As an autistic person I was very shocked and upset to see you recommending the very dangerous charity Mermaids to vulnerable young people. There has been increasing criticism of this organisation for falsifying evidence and posing serious risk to the wellbeing of children. I would not associate yourself with this organisation and remove them from your website asap to avoid damage to your reputation

4thwavenow.com/.../should-mermaids-be-permitted.../ fairplayforwomen.com/mermaids-tg-lying.../

That’s a really positive step. Well done to your friend. Feels like some progress.

Good to see an organisation putting children’s needs first.

So happy re this as I have a number of autistic young people in my family. Will write to NAS to say thank you!

Just checked and they don’t appear to have the link on their website any more. Annoyingly, stonewall is there.

Hi OP

We're just letting you know that we've edited out the identifying information from the bottom of your post.

Oh OK, thank you. .