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]

The Society should review before reinstalling the links surely?

Money talks once again.

'There’s another thread on Stonewall. From what I understand of the problem recently with them, their definition or description of homosexuality does not include same sex attraction.'

That is troubling then if they've said that as the L&G in LGBTQ+ are pretty clear on that being a dealbreaker

I’ve just caught up. Seriously NAS? Fucking seriously.

Change your damn name, because you just excluded the vast, vast majority of those you’re supposed to be supporting.

Fuck off to the far side of fuck and keep fucking going.

I’m beyond enraged.

SpartacusAutisticusAHF

I don’t know what to say... you’re totally entitled to that opinion. Other autistic people like him, one gave me one of his books 💁🏽‍♀️

I’m not saying one way or the other if autistic people are more vulnerable to coercion because they want to fit in... or fear not... it’s not for me to say. I can only say what autistic people say to me, specifically my teenage daughter and her group of friends... my husband and his... and they tell me they’re not. But I’ve seen too many here and elsewhere say they are vulnerable for various reasons. I believe on a different thread, someone had a link to a study that said autistic people are conforming OR non-conforming at the same rate as neuro typicals, but crucially are more consistently one way or the other.

As just a partner and mother of, I really really appreciate the willingness of autistic women to share their perspectives here with us. It really helps me to know as my DD is still just a teen and I know fewer autistic women. Thank you.

I just read that they capitualted is it true?

Yes it is.

This is not all bad. They are still investigating. They are just keeping the link up pending investigation rather than taking it down pending investigation

fucking unbelievable. when will this madness end

Hence "if you say I'm a woman then I am so I should get access to everything, no nuance". And "you're not a woman, you're a male still, so you don't, fuck off".

Yes, two sides with heels dug in.

Like lib fems and TRA females backing males V women with female biology.

@placemats they do seem to be doing that,

'...and we will be reinstating the links to them next week and then reviewing the information using our normal processes.'

they admitted they'd gone against their usual process - which is never a good idea as it's there for a reason and a benchmark to be equally fair

Equally fair?

Equally fair?

Where? When? Because all I see is screeching activists drowning out everyone else and for some reason, the exact people who are supposed to have autistic people at heart have drunk the fucking kool aid.

If they reinstate those links, I’m going after them, legally. I’m done with this shit.

I am so sorry.

I am careful who I donate to, partly because my elderly mother ended up with a skip full of begging letters from supposedly legitimate charities. On the basis of this thread I had decided to add NAS to my list.

Even the most fervent supporter of the right of children to question their gender needs to do their due dilligence with Mermaids. Far better for them to take advice from recognised experts, such as those from the Tavistock Clinic. (Certainly not DR Helen W.)

NAS might think of future liability issues should they knowingly signpost to an organisation with seemingly poor safeguarding procedures.

If they reinstate those links, I’m going after them, legally. I’m done with this shit.

May I help you with the legal fees?

But their usual processes don’t involve checking out an organisation before they refer vulnerable people to them.

That’s bullshit. I’m glad they’re still reviewing it but to put them back until they do is completely irresponsible. And I’ve told them, and I’ve not made any donation. And I won’t be again. That’s poor safeguarding and I can’t support that, nor do I want them anywhere near my family.

I will not support any charity willing to throw their community under the bus for the narcissism of TRAs.

I am pissed off about that with NAS. But I suppose it is to be expected really. TRAs are vicious, litigious narcissists who stoop low to push their insane agenda upon the world - starting with the vulnerable.

YeTalkShiteHen

Please contact me. I can help legally with funds etc I’m done with it too. Who checks out an org AFTER directing kids there? That’s their policy?

I’m up for us all taking them on, I’ll make an appointment with a solicitor once they’ve decided what they’re going to do.

Thanks for the backing, I’m scared now but I’m not backing down. This is too important, it matters too much.

Parents have a legal responsibility to safeguard their children, that includes from dangerous charities lead by incompetent people.

Parents have a legal responsibility to safeguard their children, that includes from dangerous charities lead by incompetent people.

Absolutely! If this continues I’d include the NAS in that too, which is bloody awful.

Try crowd funding for help with legal fees?

I think our main issue now is that we are being branded as bigots which is being used as an excuse to silence us. I was very careful to use the term gender macarthyism in a response I just sent along with my diagnosis letter to prove I am autistic and not just some random activist I urged them to get proof of who is genuinely autistic and who isnt in their consultation

That’s a good idea!

That’s also a fair point, how many will be pretending they’re autistic to get in?

Jesus self IDd autistic. What the fuck next?

I also fully agree that effectively sterilising autistic people is dangerously close to, if not actually, eugenics.

This is where we’re at)