Lesbian Action Group can now EXCLUDE transgender women from its events after dramatic court ruling

By ASHLEY NICKEL, NEWS REPORTER, AUSTRALIA and NICHOLAS COMINO, POLITICAL REPORTER, AUSTRALIA Published: 11:14, 15 April 2026 | Updated: 11:14, 15 April 2026 A lesbian rights group has won its appeal and will be allowed to exclude transgender women from its events for the next five years. The Lesbian Action Group (LAG) sought an exemption to the Sex Discrimination Act to allow it to hold public events for lesbians who were born female. LAG had previously sought an exemption from the Human Rights Commission in 2023 but was rejected. A subsequent appeal to the Administrative Review Tribunal was also dismissed.  Justice Mark Moshinsky on Wednesday ruled in favour of LAG, determining the tribunal had made a mistake by finding an exemption from the Sex Discrimination would result in conduct that would otherwise be considered discrimination. LAG spokeswoman Nicole Mowbray told The Australian the Federal Court's ruling upheld women's 'right to say no to forcing males into female and lesbian spaces'. 'Since about the early 2000s there's been no consultation, no negotiation, and we haven't consented to it,' she said. 'We're happy for trans people, heterosexual people, to do their own thing. We respect their space and their right to do what they want to do.  The Lesbian Action Group (above) has won its appeal to ban transgender women from its public events LAG said the ruling upheld women's 'right to say no to forcing males into female and lesbian spaces' (pictured are LAG members outside court on Wednesday) 'What are we asking is for our right to our own space to be respected. We're happy to come together in mixed sex space.' Wednesday's decision is likely to affect other cases brought under the Sex Discrimination Act, including that of Tickle vs. Giggle - which is currently before the Federal Court.  Sall Grover, who founded Giggle - an online platform for women, was found to have 'indirectly discriminated' against transgender woman Roxanne Tickle during a landmark 'what is a woman' case in August 2024. Ms Tickle has identified as a woman since 2017, undergoing surgery two years later and obtaining a new birth certificate that lists her sex as female. Ms Grover had banned the 54-year-old from her app in September 2021, arguing it was for women and Ms Tickle was biologically male. Ms Grover is fighting to appeal the 2024 ruling. She welcomed the Federal Court's decision on Wednesday, telling Daily Mail the Australian Human Rights Commission needed to hear considerations for women and lesbians 'for a long time'. 'A transgender woman lesbian is a heterosexual man,' Ms Grover said. The ruling is likely to affect other cases brought under the Sex Discrimination Act, including that Sall Grover (above) who founded Giggle, an online platform for women 'When you understand that, it becomes very clear that heterosexual men should have no place at a lesbian event nor should it be discrimination to exclude them. 'No man is a lesbian, and any man who wants access to a lesbian event is a walking talking red flag. 'Hopefully the Australian Human Rights Commission remembers they're a commission for all Australians, not just the ones who believe in gender ideology.' No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.