Mermaids is challenging the decision by the Charity Commission to award the LGB Alliance charity status.
The hearing, which will run from September 9 – 16, will focus attention on debates over sex and gender identity, and the legal definitions of same-sex attraction and sexual orientation.
Mermaids, which supports transgender, nonbinary and gender diverse children and their families, launched an appeal last year against the Charity Commission’s grant of charitable status to the LGB Alliance. It argued that the group was set up primarily to lobby the government to restrict the legal rights afforded to transgender people.
A statement from Mermaids reads: “Since 1995, we have supported thousands of transgender, non-binary and gender-diverse children, young people and their families, and hear all the time how vital our work is.
“It’s hard to grow up trans. And sadly, it’s getting even harder as some groups and individuals seek to undo the work that has been done on trans rights and trans inclusion.
“That’s why Mermaids is challenging the decision by the Charity Commission to award LGB Alliance charity status and our appeal will be heard at a Tribunal which is due to run until 16 September.
“To be registered as a charity, an organisation must be established exclusively for purposes which the law recognises as charitable, and it must pursue them in a way which gives rise to tangible benefits that outweigh any associated harms. We don’t believe that legal threshold has been met, and are grateful for the opportunity to present our arguments in full.
“The case is a complex one, but we believe we have a strong case. Win or lose, our community is united, and we are proud to be standing up against transphobia in all forms.”
In preliminary legal documents, Mermaids cited a speech by one of the LGB Alliance’s founders, Kate Harris, where she said she and colleagues were “building an organisation to challenge the dominance of those who promote the damaging theory of gender identity”.
Jo Maugham, director of the Good Law Project, which is backing the appeal, said: “Charitable status is for those who serve the public good … We do not believe they meet the threshold tests to be registered as a charity.”
LGB Alliance said in a statement: “LGB Alliance is the only registered charity in the UK that exclusively supports lesbians, gay men and bisexuals. This is the first time that a registered charity has challenged the registration of another charity in court.”
The result of the appeal, which is crowd funded, will be announced this week, and the judge will subsequently deliver a fresh ruling on whether or not LGB Alliance has charitable status.
