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...

Hi @Pizzaformylunch yes!!

I’m still identifying with the orange one, personally. It’s the puff sleeves/misshapen biceps that I find so appealing, I think?

I know its not the same thing but where I work I recently raised my concerns about stonwall with our E&D team (and was really nervous about doing so) and they were great about it so I say raise your concerns - good luck.

Hi @Juststopswimming! Good to know others feel the same.

Yay for Mermaids, accidentally bringing GC colleagues together since 2020 (and probably for many years before, too)!

Get a baker to do a cake iced with Mermaids propaganda. The gender spectrum would look pretty on a cake and might help the penny drop.
I do agree with Babdoc though, you could just point out that Mermaids has nothing to do with Women's Day, but it would be great if you could draw attention to the fact that its materials promote sexism.

so I say raise your concerns - good luck.

Do give alternative grassroots groups & charities that are supporting women & girls.

Maybe we need a thread with ideas?

Bake a large cake And Ice “woman: adult human female” on it?

I would play dumb with it. Ask about the charity and what they do... and then watch the logic fall apart before their eyes...

I think giving up cakes for a week for a women's charity, and encouraging others to do the same, is pure passive aggressive genius!

I think I may also work in the same place....

Since there’s a few gender critical persons in the same org you could have a rival cake sale!

if you are not feeling brave, prepare a line of support if someone else pipes up, it could make a difference.

Nevermind the trans issue, nobody should ever feel ashamed of saying they do not support a particular charity and it is a form of workplace bullying to guilt trip someone over these issues, it is worse as mermaids is a political charity.

I would go with a line like

"I heard something about on TV and am not too sure"

The GIDS review is in the news, could spark a conversation

Sounds like you have the makings of a FWR local branch there...

or just flip your lid and scream "it's child abuse"

Looks like there's enough of you to challenge this

Organisational capture.

Assuming since lots of Mners seem to work there it must be a pretty big org so I assume the 'local charity' idea won't work so perhaps a national women's charity would be a better bet.

Regardless of other issues to do with Mermaids it's such an inappropriate charity for IWD.

I think it would be a fairly safe bet to just point out that the transgender issue is very controversial at the moment and it might be safer for the company to choose a less controversial charity in light of the recent judicial review etc.

It's highly likely not much thought has gone into it and someone at the top has just seen it as an easy woke win without thinking it through.

I would be in favour of explaining to whoever is organising this that Mermaids is a political lobby group. They have plenty of money.
There are more appropriate charities that support women.
Who suggested Mermaids? Do you know?

I understand that it is risky to speak up.

Gosh - lots of you work at the same place! You’ll all gave to wear a red carnation to identify each other. Can’t you suggest an alternative charity , and those who wish to can give to there instead. Failing that , I’d just not donate , don’t buy cakes , and don’t bring any in.

Given that NHS Tavistock GIDS is being taken to Judicial Review for failing the Duty of Care owed to children and Mermaids were pushing the service to do more medical interventions with less Safeguarding, Its highly likely that this charity will be under scrutiny in the very near future.

(It won't stand up to scrutiny)

ChangedBecauseThisWillOutMe
Ooh that's good.

Thanks everyone. This is all super helpful. I have to do something, even if it's just questioning it with organisers to hopefully make them think...Appreciate the links and other info about this, and all your ideas too.

put out a spoof leaflet mocking them

hang on, just put out one of their leaflets, the Barbie and GI Joe stuff is beyond satire

A simple black and white cake, with lots of matching black and white stickers.

Agreed cucumber!! If you want to link up feel free to pm me or the others who have identified themselves from our workplace. We are already known to each other so had been talking about how to handle it.