Transgender charity Mermaids today lost its case to have gay rights organisation LGB Alliance stripped of its charitable status in what is believed to have been the first case of its kind in the UK.
The attempt by the trans group was branded ‘profoundly homophobic’ at the tribunal last November and Mermaid’s case was thrown out today, although they are considering an appeal.
Mermaids launched the legal action arguing that the LGB Alliance should be stripped of its charitable status, alleging the organisation is merely a front for transphobia and political campaigning to prevent changes on gender self-identification in the law. The two charities fundamentally disagree on issues of trans rights, with the LGB Alliance taking the view that people cannot change their biological sex while Mermaids argue they can.
Today’s judgment found in LGB Alliance’s favour and said: ‘We found Mermaids has no legal right to operate free of criticism.’
Separately, a Charity Commission inquiry into Mermaids – opened in December last year after new concerns were identified about the organisation’s governance and management – is ongoing.