LGBQTI celebs and allies will come together this weekend to show their support to the trans community
BY SOPHIE GRIFFITHS, IMAGE VIA MERMAIDS UK
So, you’re already excited for Mermaids DigiFest this weekend, right? Well, how about when you hear the wonderful line-up they’ve got up their sleeve…
If you didn’t know: Trans charity Mermaids will be running a huge interactive online festival with LGBQTI ally celebs, role models and influencers, all taking to the Twitch platform to stream this Saturday.
The festival will be raising money in support of Mermaids UK as they are one of the many charities who have been hugely impacted by the current Covid-19 pandemic.
The charity for transgender children and families is currently receiving a high volume of calls from young people who are scared by whatās happening and are facing a long period of isolation in often unfriendly environments with little opportunity to find comfort and support.
Mermaids have had to cancel all upcoming events, meaning young people and families are unable to access such vital community services and peer support.
The first celebrities and influencers on the line-up have now been revealed, and we can confirm it’s going to be great.
Confirmed guests such as Lorainne Kelly, Juno Dawson, Riyadh Khalaf Amanda Jette Knox and Mara Wilson (just to name drop a few) will be showing young trans people that they are not alone and that they are supported during these uncertain times. Thatās not even the half of it, too – thereās still many more guests to be announced!
The day will kick off with breakfast with Mermaids CEO Susie Green followed by Pets Hour with author and campaigner Olly Pike and Dr James the Vet.
We even have our own DIVA hour, from 1-2pm, where Saski will be chatting with some of our favourite trans allies!
Into the evening Mermaids Patrons, Jake and Hannah Graf, will take over the main stage to chat to a variety of celebrity supporters, followed by a chill out and meditation session with Jeffrey Marsh.
Susie Green, CEO of Mermaids said:
āFor 25 years, Mermaids has stood strong for its kids and families no matter what but these are truly unprecedented times. It’s been heartbreaking to cancel residential weekends, local groups and public events and we realised straight away that we needed to do something immediately to help our service users stay strong and positive.
We’ve just celebrated Trans Day of Visibility and DigiFest 2020 on April 4th will be a bold and inspiring message to trans people everywhere that they are seen and loved.
As a charity, we have never faced such demand for support from young people and families. This is our moment to do more not less and we’re calling on the government to help small charities like Mermaids cope with the demand for crucial services.ā
Viewers will be able to chat to guests live via Twitch and donate via Tiltify to support Mermaids. Tune into #Digifest2020 10am-10pm Saturday 4 April on Twitch.
DIVA are proud to be media partners of DigiFest 2020. Click here to find out more.
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