Mermaids vs LGB Alliance and Charity Commissioner - First-tier Tribunal (General Regulatory Chamber) Thread 3

[nauticant]

The Tribunal started on 9 September, witness testimony started on 12 September.

To obtain access to view the proceedings, send a request email to [email protected] about case CA/2021/0013 - Mermaids vs Charity Commissioner and LGB Alliance and ask for permission to join. You then have to provide certain information and agree to a judge's direction in order to be able to join.

There is also live tweeting from twitter.com/tribunaltweets.

Abbreviations:

J or judge: Presiding Judge, Judge Lynn Griffin
AJ or Judge: Assisted by Judge Joe Neville
MG: Mermaids counsel is Michael Gibbon KC
KM: LGB Alliance counsel is Karon Monaghan KC
AR: Karon is assisted by Akua Reindorf
IS: Charity Commission counsel is Iain Steele

(Also the witnesses, PR: Paul Roberts, JN: John Nicolson. BB: Belinda Bell, BJ: Beverley Jackson, KH: Kate Harris, and EG: Eileen Gallagher.)

Thread 1: mumsnet.com/talk/womens_rights/4629679-mermaids-versus-lgb-alliance-in-court-today
Thread 2: mumsnet.com/talk/womens_rights/4632780-mermaids-vs-lgb-alliance-and-charity-commissioner-first-tier-tribunal-general-regulatory-chameber-thread-2
Thread 3: ongoing

Witnesses for the applicant (Mermaids):

Paul Roberts - CEO of LGBT Consortium (12 September)
John Nicolson MP - Deputy Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Global LGBT+ Rights (13 September)
Dr Belinda Bell - Chair of trustees of Mermaids (13 September)

Witnesses for the respondent (LGB Alliance):

Beverley Jackson - Co-founder and trustee of LGB Alliance (13-14 September)
Kate Harris - Co-founder and trustee of LGB Alliance (14-15 September)
Eileen Gallagher OBE - Chair of trustees of LGB Alliance (15 September)

Witness Statements:

Paul Roberts: lgballiance.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Paul-Roberts-Witness-Statement-Exhibits.pdf
John Nicolson MP - lgballiance.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/John-Nicolson-Witness-Statement-Exhibits.pdf
Dr Belinda Bell: lgballiance.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Belinda-Bell-Witness-Statement-Exhibits.pdf
Beverley Jackson: lgballiance.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Bev-Jackson-Witness-Statement-Exhibits-1.pdf
Kate Harris: lgballiance.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Kate-Harris-Witness-Statement-Exhibits.pdf
Eileen Gallagher (two statements): lgballiance.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Eileen-Gallagher-Witness-Statement-Exhibits.pdf lgballiance.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Eileen-Gallagher-Second-Witness-Statement-Exhibits.pdf

Submissions:

lgballiance.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Volume-4-Submissions-CA.2021.0013.pdf

(Header format follows the gold standard established by @ickky)

post updated by MNHQ at OP's request

Poor Kate. I mean clearly Lesbians need an organisation that stands up for them. This hearing alone is proving that an organisation is essential.

Shit. It breaks my heart to see what they're being put through - they are so courageous and-- oh I just do not have the words. Massive virtual hugs for Kate.

The judge dealt with it well I thought

noticed straight away and gave her space

This continued forcing on lesbians the idea that males with penises can be lesbians and that they must accep this, is pure rape culture, appalling and distressing and pure homophobia & lesbophobia. MG is totally guilty of this right now.

Before she started crying, she was looking up at the ceiling, I thought to plead to a higher power for patience.

It is such a mind bending concept, no wonder she cried, I would be tearing my hair out.

Absolutely. She didn't want everyone staring at Kate for the next 10 minutes.

I completely agree nauticant. The frustration and despair at not being allowed uncontested words to describe or organise ourselves. It's beyond the fucking pale.

Sorry late to this. Why is Kate crying?

This constant pushing of penis on lesbians ( in all senses of the phrase ) is so repugnant.

Apart from the fact this is horribly stressful.

Being asked to understand that some people include males with penises as lesbians.

They have showed such enormous composure and patience. I expect there's fiery burning rage there as well as distress.

I just got goosebumps.

The word "lesbian" is taken.

KH- the word lesbian is taken. By us. We will not be erased.

Go on Kate

The word Lesbian is taken.

What is PR?

Fuck me. To be this good seconds after being reduced to speechlessness. I couldn't speak without choking up right now. Go Kate.

She's fucking amazing. Go on Kate.

I am in tears on Kate's behalf. If I was the Judge I'd be so tempted to say - enough of this (except I'd use stronger words)

Watched the mess we're in this morning. Glinner was taking about how straight men are joining Grinder et al and saying they are gay so they can have sex with transmen.

It certainly does - and between the law as it stands, and a policeman's "personal opinion", which should carry the greater weight?

I mean, I know which one I think should carry greater weight, but in our captured institutions, which does carry greater weight?

Gibbons - you are neutral

He is not getting anywhere with this

*not neutral

I'm supposed to be working from home cough cough today. As luck would have it there's a rather noisy film crew behind my house so I can't. I shall have to spend my time here and on TT instead.

A cross you must bear, @RocketPanda .

Be stunning.

Be brave.

Grasp that nettle.

(Also a cup of tea and some biscuits 😂)