Barclays Bank promoting Mermaids

[AchieveBelieve]

So today is #NationalComingOutDay. Digital Eagles is a long-running Barclay’s initiative to get people more tech savvy and they’ve done lots of good work around promoting online safety for children, and done a lot of work with schools, donating Micro Bit processors for kids to learn basic coding

So on NationalComingOutDay it’s no surprise that a huge organisation with a large workforce would choose to do something to mark the occasion. So what have Digital Eagles done? They’ve decided to promote Mermaids, and more specifically, their website forums and chatline. twitter.com/Digitaleagles

They position Mermaids as a charity for ‘gender diverse’ children and don’t use the word ‘trans’. They even flag up the website’s ‘quick exit’ button as a nifty digital feature. Jake Edwards, Mermaids’s communications assistant (non-binary transman) is gushing in their gratitude to Barclays and all the support they give Mermaids.

I just find it strange that of all the things they could have celebrated today they chose to celebrate Mermaids. Are they not aware of the controversy? Why focus specifically on a children’s trans charity and bypass the coming out of gay men, lesbians and bisexuals? Can they not see how this reads? How do Barclays’ LGB workforce really feel about being sidelined once again. It’s not NationalDayofTransVisibility - maybe they got their days mixed up?

I'm a Barclays customer and I think this is utterly failing to read the room. Will complain.

I suspect they have had this in the works for months and decided to do something with them for this day ages ago.

With huge orgs these things aren't quick to organise.

I would imagine that's why.

Well yes. But maybe keep your eye on the ball?

I have enjoyed watching Liz keeping her face lifted, without the sound on. Very good.

10/10 for effort

I would agree - big organisations are not very quick to organise, and they are very good for developing cliques too. Communication of new things not directly to do with the core business takes a while to filter through.

Aw bloody hell not another company I have to boycott! I’ve banked with them for over 30 years!

Not too surprising.

As Douglas Murray points out, those jumping on the bandwagon of the woke stuff are specifically those corporations people otherwise love to hate - so big banks, big consultancies, government, etc. etc.

It's all a cynical attempt to get the young's "seal of approval"

Remember the old days when no student would touch Barclays. Apartheid and all that? Not that any of these multinational companies are saints but they’re really trying hard to be relevant aren’t they.

National ‘coming out’ day? Do young uns bother these days? It seems that every tween and teen is coming out as ‘something’ these days.

They missed the boat by about 30 bloody years.

I'm trying to move house at the moment, but the minute it's all done I can't wait to sack Barclays. Their customer service is appalling.

It is all a bit odd.

My DD has had various things going on. Anyway. When she was year 7 I said. I need to be able to see your chats, check your phone whenever.

I know MN says they should have a stick and hoop before age 22. But not real life. So anyway.

The girls were having angsty conversations about 'coming out' to family as non binary etc.

I was

I know the families. They'd be AOK with gender non conformity/ bi sexuality/ daughters being lesbian. I mean, no probs.

But the angst was cute and funny. Omg shall I tell my parents I'm a demi boi etc etc.

The thing I didn't like. Was a message to DD in year 7 saying. There has been some kind of ? thing that means trans kids will be beaten up and killed. This is the month that it's been decided to hunt down trans kids and hurt them. Don't tell your parents. Be safe etc etc

It was a watsapp thing passed on.

I said ok DD you know I check your phone sometimes and I CBA to read all the stuff and privacy etc but. I know you are thinking about gender and you know think sex is a thing. That thing, it was really extreme. You don't think I'm going to kill you I hope? And she was like nah it's stupid.

But. This is what is being circulated.

It was really strong stuff. Who is starting it? Why? To fuck with people i suppose.

But my DDs friend said. I'm really scared. Her home life doesn't sound fab.

Let's not get onto the stick and hoop stuff.

Because that's not real life.

Real life is. Things started by.. ? saying this month anti trans people are going to beat up and kill trans kids.

Shared by a couple of bog standard children who are mildly GNC.

Urgh. Right, looks like I'm bank hopping this morning. Sigh.

How many of these are just slipping through without much notice?

No your kidding. I'm with Barclays, I can't be arsed to switch. I'll have to complain. What idiots, late joining the bandwagon when the wheels are already falling off.

There is a need for a charity for gender non conforming children, that puts an arm round them when they are being bullied or just not fitting in and says 'you're fine just the way you are'. Mermaids are emphatically NOT that charity.

Is it on the website too? I see such differences between the website and the social media activities of businesses.

What the fuck is a non binary trans man if not a contradiction in terms?

There is a need for a charity for gender non conforming children, that puts an arm round them when they are being bullied or just not fitting in and says 'you're fine just the way you are'. Mermaids are emphatically NOT that charity.

Exactly this. When I was young, it was gay rights - "it gets better" - which I, even though I'm not gay, found both realistic and hopeful. It actually felt like there was someone saying that who understood that it could be absolute shit, but, it will get better.

That's what GNC kids need, just to be supported. Sympathised with, and told that they'll get through it, that it'll be OK, and we're here to help you. Not told exaggerated horror stories of suicide and murder.

acatcalledjon ‘non binary transman’ was my own descriptor of Jake Edwards. I’ve followed Jake’s progress for a few years now since they were in a relationship with Alex Bertie. When I first noticed them they were describing themselves as a transman but have changed to non-binary. Many people think they are a transwoman with a beard so I just clarified that with the use of ‘transman’.

I think it’s gone now. Can’t see it.

Still there a few posts down on my link FairFriday

Anyone commenting on it?

Definitely can’t see it! My twitter must be taking care of my blood pressure...

@AchieveBelieve

Remember the old days when no student would touch Barclays. Apartheid and all that? Not that any of these multinational companies are saints but they’re really trying hard to be relevant aren’t they.

Yes, I was one. Barclays have always been morally dubious in my eyes, so I’m not surprised they’re trying to scoop up woke points.