Mermaids: why has the trans charity been in the news?

The claims and counter-claims against the charity at the heart of the debate over trans children

The charity Mermaids has found itself at the heart of the highly charged debate pitting trans rights supporters against gender-critical feminists.

Mermaids, which is funded mostly by donations but also receives grants and payments for training, says it provides support to transgender children and their families, as well as helping to facilitate their acceptance in society.