Mermaids Training...

@Cailin66 if you copy and paste what you want and then put an asterisk at the start and end of it, it should bold it for you.

Op it's shot, especially as mermaids get £100 for every person attending that would defiantly put me off going, but I also think if you attend you can question a lot of the narrative after, referencing some of the various recent court cases, so you don't necessarily have to say they are your view but based on the cases you have seen.

I would go. I would ask lots of questions and also record it. In fact I would love to attend a Mermaids training session.

You sound like you are pretty stressed about Mermaids. Don't be, don't go if you don't want to and if you do go use it as an opportunity to learn what it is Mermaids is actually 'preaching' . Would be very good exercise for you to report it back on here. You are not alone being in an organisation where it's difficult to speak up, but there are many of us and don't assume you are the only one. Well done you on already understanding why it is you don't want to hear what Mermaids are selling. I wouldn't let them next nor near me, mandated by work or not. But I'm in a very strong position to say no to such things. I'd actually love if Mermaids came to my workplace, because I'd be well prepared for them and the nonsense they peddle.

On one hand I'd go just to find out what on earth it is they're peddling to organisations nowadays. On the other, if they do get money for every attendee they can bugger off!

No need to apologise OP.

Your post sits perfectly well in AIBU because you are asking if you are BU by not attending.

It would also sit well in the other suggested areas as a place to debate the training in broader terms.

Dont apologise.

It seems to already have been moved into the "‘special’ waste paper bin", or 'Feminism: Sex and Gender debate' as it is now rather clunkily named.

@Namechangedlady I don't disagree with you but we can't just ignore that more and more workplaces are insisting on such training and turning to organisations such as Mermaids which then in turn perpetuates a dangerous narrative to a wider audience. Just wondering if anybody knew of any more ethical balanced organisations....

If you need to stay away to keep your sanity (and your job) OP, then stay away from it.

I know that if I went along to anything like that, it would end up in a blazing row between me and the trainer, as a mermaids trainer will be wrong, factually, on almost all points.

If you can go, keep your cool, challenge repeatedly and politely, then go.

Good luck

Time we just stopped genderising everything and just accept people like what they like and if a boy wants to play with dolls it's okay.

Does anybody know of any organisations that provide more balanced training on gender/identity in children?

So it’s voluntary? If it’s voluntary don’t go. If it’s mandatory unless you have a special exception, I’d go because otherwise I’d know it would Mark me out to be difficult and potentially bigoted.

I manage to go to church services and come out still agnostic. I even manage to associate with gay people and remain straight. You’ll be fine. Irritated no doubt, but fine.

OP this is yet another one for the sex&gender discussion, YABU to post in AIBU, HTH

For those who would interested in "learning" supplied by Mermaids...

This is the organisation that encouraged children to decide their gender identity based on where they feel they are on the "gender spectrum" (attached photo from Mermaids training)

So - the female to male scale has Barbie at one end to GI Joe at the other end. Fucking Barbie.

I don't think it's unreasonable to decline "training" by such an organisation.

I really hope this isn't moved to Sex and Gender - this is an issue for the general public/employees/employers as a whole. This isn't some "niche" interest - it affects every single person.

Op to answer your question, I would go for sure! These people are going into schools too, I would like to know what they are teaching.
I think you are well read up on the subject but think of yourself as going undercover.
But also, I agree with your point about your company not making race inclusivity (sorry for terrible phrasing) compulsory.
At my company we have to do twice yearly modules for this. Everyone from cleaner to vp has to do them and rightly so!

You should go, and ask a lot of questions. Since the Forstater case I feel a lot more comfortable questioning stuff at work. You can question the credentials of Mermaids and why they are using organisations with a political agenda that could impact on sex as a protected characteristic. You can raise the issue of ethnic diversity training and why it wasn't compulsory. In most places social class is also a big thing that affects more people than trans but no one does anything about it.

It sounds like it is making you very emotional - see if you can step back and detach a bit. I know this isn't easy, but I think in some ways it's better to go to the training and then you can see the people behind the ideas. You'll see they're just people with ideas you don't agree with, that's it's not personal. It might be that it's more harmless than you're anticipating, but if there is stuff you disagree with, speak up!

Because I can't seem to talk to anyone in real life about my opinions without being told I'm transphobic, and I'm exhausted by it.

So you though AIBU on MN was the place to go?

Post in the relevant section, I'm sure you'll get all the pats on the back and advice you're looking for.

Yes I'd get a bullet point list of why you dont think this organisation is a good fit as well as recent media coverage and links to stonewall which is now sinking and suggest others which are more suitable.

I'd also raise the fact that ethnic minorities training wasn't mandatory and this is despite trans employees being rare and ethnic minorities not!

Indoctrination ! I'd probably go to the training for an easy life but question things or just not really listen. Like you say, there's nothing of the sort for other groups. I had to complete unconscious bias training recently or I wouldn't get a good performance review - which I was so angry about.

Clearly you don't think you're being unreasonable, you seem very informed on issues and have your own very strong opinions, so I'm not sure why you've just joined specifically to post this thread really.

OttilieStonelady oh me too! I might have a look for one hahaha