Mick Hartley

The Beeb's Children in Need, supporting LGBTQ+ young people across the UK.

BBC Children in Need are currently funding 37 projects to the value of over £2.6 million specifically focused on young people affected by issues of sexual identity and gender identity. Of the 37 projects 5 projects to the value of £400,000 are focused specifically on gender identity. These projects provide activities like group support and mentoring to help LGBTQ+ young people to develop a sense of belonging, increase their self-esteem and resilience and improve their overall mental wellbeing.

Pride Month is an opportunity to reflect on the importance of this support and the positive impact it has on young lives. Many young people may face a range of issues as they explore or question their sexual or gender identity, including negative impacts on their emotional wellbeing and mental health, bullying, discrimination and isolation. Therefore, funding the social support of these young people is more important than ever.

"It is also estimated that 1-2% of the population is transgender". The implication, in the context, is that 1-2% of children are trans. Nonsense, of course. But that's how it's framed.

Encouraging the fantasy that children can somehow be born in the wrong body – and then on to puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, surgical mutilation – is precisely what children don't need. It is, in fact, conversion therapy – transing away the gay. What they do in Iran.