Links

Mermaids has put together series of links to other websites offering help for trans issues and other associated issues, such as self harm and intersex. We do not take any responsibility for the content of these sites, as they are not under our control, but we hope that you find what you need.

UK Support Groups
UK Information and Treatment

Books (new page)

Leaflets, guides

Australia
Norway
USA

Support Groups

BeLonGTo - Republic of Ireland
BeLonG To is a national organisation based in the Republic of Ireland for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered (LGBT) young people, aged between 14 and 23. We believe that LGBT young people need to be respected and cared for on the same basis as all other young people, and that when they are safe and supported in their families, schools & society they will thrive as healthy and equal citizens.
http://www.belongto.org/pro/page.aspx?subsectionid=4723

Broken Rainbow UK
Support for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people experiencing domestic violence.
http://www.broken-rainbow.org.uk/

Chrysalis
Support for transgender young people (over 18). Chrysalis operates Meeting Centres in Southampton, Portsmouth area and New Forest area, for people who have Gender Dysphoria.
http://www.chrysalis-gii.co.uk/index.php/

Depend
An organisation offering free, confidential and non-judgemental advice, information and support to all family members, spouses, partners and friends of transsexual people in the UK.
http://www.depend.org.uk/

Excellence Centre Wales
The excellence centre supports gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people and promote equality, diversity and human rights through gathering and sharing information and good practice.They provide people with free support, advice and representation around discrimination, harassment, bullying, hate crime and sustain themselves through business services, consultancy, training, and service level agreements.
http://www.ecwales.org.uk/

FTM London
we are a diverse and exciting group that continues to offer much needed support as well as information, resources and friendly networking for the FTM community. We work to alleviate the isolation that can be felt around gender identity issues.
http://www.ftmlondon.org.uk/

Gender Matters - West Midlands
Gender Matters is a registered charity based in the West Midlands providing support to the transgender community. We are inclusive, providing information and support to all transgender people, their family and friends, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, race, creed or colour.
http://www.gender-matters.org.uk/

The Gender Trust - over 18's only
Gender Trust online, the largest Registered Charity (no. 1088150) helping adults throughout the United Kingdom who are Transsexual, Gender Dysphoric, Transgender (i.e. those who seek to adjust their lives to live as women or men, or come to terms with their situation despite their genetic background), or those who's lives are affected by gender identity issues.
http://www.gendertrust.org.uk/

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Information and Treatment

BBC Slink
BBC Slink is a webite targeting girls aged 13 - 18 which receives around 300,000 unique users per month. We are passionate about helping teens on their journey through life and we often get enquiries from young women who are confused, have been bullied, or effected in some way by gender or sexuality. Here are some examples on our site:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/slink/real-life/stories/my-boyfriend-was-born-a-girl
http://www.bbc.co.uk/slink/real-life/stories/i-have-same-sex-parents
http://www.bbc.co.uk/slink/real-life/stories/i-am-transgender
http://www.bbc.co.uk/slink/real-life/stories/bullied-for-being-gay
http://www.bbc.co.uk/slink/advice/dr-mel/confused-about-sexuality
http://www.bbc.co.uk/slink

Charing Cross Gender Identity Clinic - from age 18 upwards
The Gender Identity Clinic (GIC) in Hammersmith (sometimes known as the Charing Cross GIC) is the largest and oldest gender identity clinic in the world and has been in operation since the 1960s. They accept referrals from all over the UK and deal with a wide variety of people who have issues around their gender.
http://www.wlmht.nhs.uk/gi/gender-identity-clinic/

Childrens National Medical Centre
Parents guide for younger children
Although this centre is in the States, their booklet on gender dysphoria for younger children is very good. To visit the site click the link below, to download the booklet click here.
Childrens National Medical Centre - USA

Dr Kenneth Demsky
Private Treatment, children, adolescents and adults.
http://www.drkennethdemsky.co.uk/

Equality and Human Rights Commission
Transgender - Understanding the terms that are used
http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/advice-and-guidance/your-rights/transgender/understanding-the-terms-that-are-used/

Gender Essence - Northern Ireland
Gender Essence are a specialist professional counselling organisation aimed at providing emotional and therapeutic support to those from our Transgender and Transsexual Communities (to include friends, family members and children).
http://www.genderessence.co.uk/index.html

GIRES
GIRES (Gender Identity Research and Education Society) was founded in 1997, and GIRES' primary mission is to improve the circumstances in which trans people live, by changing the way that society treats them.
http://www.gires.org.uk/

Graduate Journal of Social Science - Transgender Studies
This page has links to many articles on transgender issues.
http://www.gjss.org/index.php?/Volume-7-Issue-2-December-2010-Transgender-Studies.html

Mind - Section on Self Harm
Mind have put together a comprehensive page to explain what self harm is, and why people do it, and how to get help.
http://www.mind.org.uk/help/diagnoses_and_conditions/self-harm

NHS
Information pages on Gender Dysphoria.
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/gender-dysphoria/pages/introduction.aspx
http://www.nhs.uk/LiveWell/Transhealth/Pages/Transhealthhome.aspx
http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Transhealth/Pages/Transrealstorymother.aspx
http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Transhealth/Pages/Transyoungpeople.aspx
http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Transhealth/Pages/Transvideoruth.aspx
http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Transhealth/Pages/Transparentalworries.aspx
http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Transhealth/Pages/Transcomingout.aspx
A practical guide for the NHS
http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_089941
A guide for young trans people in the UK
http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_074258

NHS Specialist Treatment Centre
Tavistock and Portman NHS Trust.
Service for children and young people with gender identity issues.
http://w01.tavistage.wf.ulcc.ac.uk/node/534

Positive Beams - Tina Livingstone
Transgender Counselling - Understanding the importance of being heard and respecting diversity, enabling people to develop their inner strengths, find their own solutions, and feel secure in their lives.
http://www.positive1.belland.org.uk/

Press for Change
Press for Change is a political lobbying and educational organisation. We campaign to achieve equality and human rights for all trans people in the United Kingdom, through legislation and social change.
http://www.pfc.org.uk/

Scarleteen
Sex ed for the real world.
http://www.scarleteen.com/
Article on trans issues, to read click here.

TCrime
Confidential reporting on transphobic crime.
http://www.tcrime.net/

Trangender children: more than a theoretical challenge
Natacha Kennedy and Mark Hellen
An article published in the Graduate Journal of Social Science
http://www.gjss.org/images/stories/volumes/7/2/3.%20Kennedy%20and%20Hellen.pdf

Transhealth
Over 16's only - Private treatment.
http://www.transhealth.co.uk/

TranzWiki
TranzWiki.net attempts to be a comprehensive directory of the groups campaigning for, supporting or assisting transgender people across the UK, and has been developed by GIRES. Some groups may appear in one or more subdivisions.
http://gires.org.uk/tranzwiki/index.php/Main_Page

TransFM
TransFM is an online internet radio network of voices who share experiences, thoughts and ideas on the topics of Gender, sexuality, politics and much more. Everyone is welcome, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
http://transfm.squarespace.com/

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Leaflets, Guides

Childrens National Medical Centre
Parents guide for younger children.
Although this centre is in the States, their booklet on gender dysphoria for younger children is very good. To download the booklet click here.

Coming out trans to your parents and family
This pdf leaflet gives information and practical help about how to tell friends and family that you are transgender.
http://www.pflag.org/fileadmin/user_upload/TNET/Coming_Out_Trans.pdf

Gendered Intelligence
A Guide for Parents and Family Members of Trans People in the UK - click below to access the PDF guide.
http://www.genderedintelligence.co.uk/downloads/Booklet_for_parents_and_family_members1108.pdf

LGBT Excellence Centre Wales
The excellence centre supports Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender people in Wales, the link below takes you directly to the leaflets and posters pages for transgender support.
http://www.ecwales.org.uk/modules/transgendersupport/index.php?pagenum=19

NHS Guide published by GIRES
Medical Care for gender variant children and young people: answering families questions.
http://www.gires.org.uk/assets/DOH-Assets/pdf/doh-children-and-adolescents.pdf

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USA

Antijen
A support site for younger people with lots of links to other sites and information resources.
www.antijen.org

Childrens National Medical Centre
Parents guide for younger children.
Although this centre is in the States, their booklet on gender dysphoria for younger children is very good. To visit the site click the link below, to download the booklet click here.
Childrens National Medical Centre - USA

Karen's Place
Karen's Place is for Transgendered individuals to visit, make friends, and find support.
http://www.karens-place.org

Q & A with Norman Spack
An interview with Dr Norman Spack from the Childrens Hospital Boston. Dr Spack has also treated a number of families from the UK who have travelled to the States due to the current lack of treatment available under 16 for children suffering with gender identity issues.
http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/ideas/articles/2008/03/30/qa_with_norman_spack/?p1=Well_MostPop_Emailed5

Transfamily
TransFamily is a support group for transgendered and transsexual people, their parents, partners, children, other family members, friends, and supportive others.
www.transfamily.org

TransKids Purple Rainbow Foundation
Dedicated to funding research and education about transgender issues to build a brighter future for all TransKids.
Our children aren't pink or blue - but rather - various shades of purple.
http://www.transkidspurplerainbow

Trans youth family allies
TYFA empowers children and families by partnering with educators, service providers and communities, to develop supportive environments in which gender may be expressed and respected.
http://www.imatyfa.org/

The Trevor Project
The Trevor Project is the leading national organization focused on crisis and suicide prevention efforts among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBTQ) youth.
http://www.thetrevorproject.org/home2.aspx

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Australia

True Colours
This website represents young people who experience transsexualism
and a network of their parents, families and supporters throughout Australia.
www.truecolours.org.au

Norway

HBRS
National organization for the diagnose transsexualism (HBRS).
http://www.lfts.no/?module=Articles;action=ArticleFolder.publicOpenFolder;ID=182

Inside Out: children in the wrong body.
Link to the website of Sarah Wong. For the past seven years photographer Sarah Wong and journalist Ellen de Visser have been following 11 Dutch children on the way to a new identity. Their photos and reports in the book Inside Out give a glimpse inside the lives of children born in "the wrong body".
http://www.sarahwong.com/insideout_01.html

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