Workplace cake sale to raise money for Mermaids

[Cucumbersalad]

To celebrate International Women's Day a charity bake sale is being held at my workplace to raise money for Mermaids UK, "to show our support for the transgender community".

Has anybody come across a similar situation in the workplace, and if so, did you raise any concerns? I'm cowardly about speaking out, but I feel I should say something! How to do this delicately/ sensitively?.I don't want to rock the boat though, as it's work! And ultra-woke...

Vulva cupcakes it is then, get icing.

Haha. I won't inflict my baking on any paying customers! Why not in aid of a women's charity? For international women's day. Thought we already had a whole LGBT month not long ago!

Why is a charity that is not for women being supported on international women’s day? I mean how bloody insulting!!

However as it’s work I’d say that would it not be more appropriate to tie mermaids in with lgbt days/months/events and use IWD to support a woman’s charity and then suggest that whoever the CSR lead is produces a calendar of events to ensure full inclusion in the future. I mean what with being super woke I’m sure their diversity & inclusion would wavy to extend to the days for people with LD, mental health, international day of older ppl, carers day etc

Ask why they are not raising money for a women's charity? Or suggest a women's charity instead. Nia (Karen Ingala Smith's women's refuge) is a good one.

It's IWD - can't we have ONE DAY?

Mermaids? For International Women's Day?

I was wondering if they are deliberately taking the piss, but it probably works more like: people raise entirely legitimate concerns about Mermaids -> wokeoids interpret that as "zomg the trans community is under attack"-> wokeoids raise more money for Mermaids so any attempts to discuss the incredible dodginess of the organisation are going to backfire.

There is no solution to this as far as I can see - clearly the woke will never learn how to do critical thinking or even basic research, so the only solution is to somehow persuade them that Mermaids is transphobic.

Good luck with that, OP. I hope someone has some better ideas than I do!

Honestly I think I'd find a pressing reason to be out of the office that day.

I'd be tempted to play all innocent and ask if the communication has gone out with incorrect dates. 'I assume this is for Transgender day, has there been a mixup of dates and events?'

Just ask that question: why not a charity benefiting women? And suggest an alternative. And if they don’t switch, boycott it.

I wouldn't do anything. I wouldn't donate, bake or consume any of the cakes. If anyone notices and asks, I would say that I have to cut down sugar because of dental problems.

I wouldn't engage with this in any way and would donate to a woman's charity from the comfort of my own home.

Can't "someone" anonymously (if you're uncomfortable rocking the boat) email or mail the people in charge setting them straight?

Otherwise, as PP have said, boycott.

Why on earth are they fundraising for an org that pushes the Barbie/GI Joe gender spectrum on kids? They celebrate sexist stereotypes, the opposite of what the International Women's Day is supposed to be about.

can you canvass other peoples opinions?

I bet you are not the only person who thinks this is bullshit

Can you at least suggest they split the proceeds with a less fashionable charity? The Eve Project, as an example?

After all, Mermaids ‘support’ Male and female children, so it’s not really the right choice for Women’s Day.

Otherwise, I agree, vulva cupcakes, get icing!

Great suggestions, thanks. Think I will do the wide-eyed innocent routine and suggest a women's charity. If no budging, I'll boycott.

Ask them if they're not concerned that they may be seen as transphobic, after all TMAM and non-binary people are valid

Do they have any idea how much money Mermaids Charity is currently holding in their accounts?

Charity Commission:
Data for financial year ending 31 March 2019

Mermaids
Income £715.3K

Spending £406.7K

beta.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1160575&subid=0

Were there really no local grassroots charities supporting women & girls in need of fundraising & awareness raising?

I’m puzzled - and disheartened - that so many women seem afraid to speak out in defence of our rights, for fear of the woke brigade.
How dare these idiots hijack the only bloody day of the year that is meant to be solely for women?
Where is your anger, OP? Your pride, your self respect as a feminist?
Why is it apparently so difficult to go to your managers and say that it is wholly inappropriate to support a charity that undermines women with sexist stereotypes and pushes young autistic or lesbian girls into a trans pathway of sterilisation and serious health damage? Ever - let alone on Women’s Day?

How to do this delicately/ sensitively?.I don't want to rock the boat though, as it's work! And ultra-woke...

Id point to the current Charity Commission account balance & the fact that Starbucks are running a fundraising campaign for Mermaids.

Take along three alternative charities supporting girls & women, including a local grassroots one (which no doubt will have few funds).

Wow @R0wantrees that is very interesting. Thanks!

Apologies, I meant the Eve Appeal: eveappeal.org.uk/

The Eve Project is a charity for female abuse survivors and looks equally women centred, but is based in Australia

The Pankhurst Centre in MCR incorporates MCR Women’s Aid, so is both relevant to women’s history and women in the present day.

Maybe there is a similar charity in your area, Cucumber?

Thanks @Babdoc, you are so right. I do feel angry about it but worried I am bad at articulating it - have never mentioned any of this in RL and I admit I'm being a coward. But thanks to all of you who have posted, it's giving me some courage and factual ammunition.

How about a jelly babies cake on a rainbow spectrum, with a slogan, "It's all about the feelz".

I think you must work at the same place as me OP - begins with a 'W'? I just came on here having received the same email to see if anyone had any suggestions for how to respond and saw that someone had got there before me...

A few of us have been discussing how to openly boycott it, or to do our own activity to raise money for a women's charity if they won't budge (perhaps by giving up cakes for the week and donating the money we would have otherwise spent.....).

Cucumbersalad - we work at the same company as I had this email today - I feel exactly the same as you, so youre not alone.
I am certainly planning to register how angry this has made me (and why)