A gender-critical lesbian organization in Victoria, Australia, is continuing its legal effort to exclude trans women from its public events, while stating, “We don’t hate trans people.” The Victoria-based chapter of Lesbian Action Group (LAG) is appealing a Human Rights Commission ruling that prevents the exclusion of trans women from its gatherings. The group argues its events should remain limited to cisgender women, saying it wants young and emerging lesbians to have safe spaces without biological males present.
Australian law at both state and federal levels recognizes trans women as women. Spokesperson Nicole Mowbray told the ABC: “We don’t hate trans people…We fully support trans people living their best lives and creating their own spaces and having their own events. There’s plenty of trans-only events, and that’s fine. We would just like to be afforded the same right.” LAG’s earlier request to overturn a ruling allowing trans women at its events was denied.
In 2023, the group applied for an exemption under the Sex Discrimination Act to hold events for lesbians born female only. Authorities ruled against the exemption, citing concerns it could enable further discrimination against transgender women. On January 20, Administrative Appeals Tribunal senior member Stewart Fenwick upheld that decision.
