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]

I see the protests against a website having a very obscured link to a registered charity as being something which should be challenged.

Go and challenge it then instead of replying telling us how much you will challenge it.
I can't imagine what you would be getting from this thread if you agree we're all wrong, refuse to answer any questions about your opinion of what Dr Webberly did and frankly can't see anyone elses point of view.

Bizzare absolutly bizzare.

The thing is you are not even trying to challenge what we've said, it is, to paraphrase:

"Yes all that happened by why remove the link"

Do you expect us to suddenly agree with you?
why are you on the thread?
I'm afraid i don't get it, you are apparently not Trans and not Autistic, but have come here to stir?

Oh you are provoking and spying. Awesome!
Good for you.

But you certainly don't have an agenda!

So a bunch of autistic adults and adults with autistic children express happiness of the NAS cutties with Mermaids becuase they reccommended a Doctor who illegally treated children who have autism with experimental drugs, using an unregistered unlicenced online clinic.

You want to spy and silence this?

But you are not disablist in anyway?

I have contacted NAS in support when they took the link down and explained why I agreed, I also contacted them when link went back up. I am speaking to other parents with autistic children, I’ve also contacted children’s charities, list is endless

It’s rentless, I’m worn down by this whole insane crap. It’s not just contacting NAS it everything that has impacted family and friends cancer, suicide, mental illness, women’s aid, Life is hard enough without the stick beating every bloody support sometimes needed in life. This stuff has me in tears every bloody day, I’m exhausted literally exhausted. Over one bloody selfish minority.

I give up, I can only hope that those who are much stronger don’t, as I fail to have the strength to keep on standing up.

I feel the the NAS should know about the posts people are making about why they have pulled the link.

You can be sure they already know about this thread.

I emailed the NAS over the weekend but have yet to receive a response. I don't think I will hear from them, to be honest.

I am sure they have better things to do, like cosying up to TRAs.

I would also imagine it would help to see everything in context.

As i said spiritual People are worried and scared, history is repeating and silencing is happening.

but now we are under your caring watch we can feel a whole lot better.

MNHQ maybe if you removed the troll we wouldn’t have to tell them to fuck off and stop harassing the autistic community here.

But oh no. They can troll, Harrass and insult autistic people but we can’t misgender anyone 🙄

NAS should know about the posts people are making about why they have pulled the link

I mean ffs. What the hell has it got to do with someone who does not even use this charity? WE DO. At least get off this thread you cruel cruel person

I mean ffs. What the hell has it got to do with someone who does not even use this charity? WE DO. At least get off this thread you cruel cruel person

I wouldn't assume being under the threatening but caring eye of Spirituallove has nothing to do with the charity, and everythign to do with power.

Spirituallove
Am i right in thinking this is going to be a best of collection you are sending? where the screen shots will be focused on a few posts out of the whole thread?
Maybe avoiding the Good Dr althoughter? or will you actually be including posts which mention the reason for our happiness?

But silencing is not happening. People have a voice, and there is always room for debate, but when something becomes National news, and there are voices of dissent over the pressure for a charity to pull a link, then those who oppose the drop also have a right to speak out too. As I have said, I am not on this thread simply to stir up any harm, but because it is so well publicised, and there is language and elements which I firmly disagree with. The NAS decision to drop a registered charity from their website should be done because of the legal implications, not because of a few angry voices on one Social Media website. No offence to this site, or anyone on it, but the idea that such can be made judge jury and executioner is not freedom, nor is it the sign of a society which opposes autocracy. It is the rule of the mob to create an exclusionary policy for a wonderful organisation that the NAS is. That also should not mean that others should stop using the services of the NAS, simply because they disagree with one very minor decision. Nor does it mean that it should brow beat anyone else into boycotting them.

One letter, it took one letter for them to remove a link.

One brilliant letter, a paper thin beautiful letter.
Brings everything into focus doesn't it.
Nobody is lobbying for a boycott of the NAS either.

Each small candle.

That also should not mean that others should stop using the services of the NAS, simply because they disagree with one very minor decision

Actually it means exactly that. A charity that prioritises political agendas over child safety, is no charity I want anything to do with, let alone continue to donate to.

And again, YOU HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS. Coming here to cause trouble, anger and harrass autistic people is messed up nasty behaviour. Who the fuck does that?

We have all already sent the full link to the entire conversation to NAS. None of us are ashamed of what we have written. You should be. You look like a seriously disturbed person to interfere in an issue that has literally nothing to do with you, and then criticise and harass disabled people for their feelings about the behaviour of a charity founded precisely to serve them. Not you. Go away.

They have nothing to do with autism or NAS. Why engage at all? Let alone repeatedly and after being told you’re being ableist to the group of people it does concern.

yes people who oppose have a right to speak out but there is absolutely no way they should be speaking over actual autistic people and the mothers of autistic children. Know when and where to speak and when and where to listen. If you wouldnt go into a room full of black people as a white person and start dictating your disagreements around race issues than dont do that in a room full of autistics

I understand. I, again, meant no disrespect or hurt. If that is felt by anybody, by any of my language, attitude or opinions, then I apologise. No malice intended. Peace and Love to all.