15 May 2026 – National LGBTIQ+ group Equality Australia has welcomed a Federal Court judgment that has upheld the right of trans women to live free from discrimination. 

In a judgement handed down in Sydney on Friday, the Full Court of the Federal Court dismissed an appeal by Sall Grover and her app Giggle for Girls, confirming that Roxanne Tickle was discriminated against when she was excluded from the app for being trans. 

The Court found Ms Tickle was directly discriminated against on two grounds because of her gender identity, and increased damages to $20,000 after taking into account Ms Grover’s aggravating conduct. 

Equality Australia Legal Director Heather Corkhill said the ruling was a clear and significant win for equality and fairness. 

“Today’s decision is an important win for everyone protected under the Act, including women and LGBTIQ+ people,” she said. 

“This ruling affirms that all women deserve to live free from discrimination, without being judged on appearance, presentation or perceptions.” 

The majority judgement states that under the Act, the concept of womanhood “is not to be understood by reference to any narrow or rigid conception of femaleness”. 

“For decades, Australian laws have recognised that a person’s legal sex is not limited to the sex they were assigned at birth – any other interpretation would deny the reality and existence of trans people,” Ms Corkhill said. 

She said the ruling also upheld the original intent of the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (SDA). 

“The SDA is the primary federal law protecting LGBTIQ+ people from discrimination, and all of us have a stake in making sure those protections remain strong and effective,” Ms Corkhill said. 

“Today’s decision affirms that trans Australians are entitled to the same legal protections, and the same right to live safely and with dignity, as everyone else.” 

Ms Corkhill said that if Ms Grover’s appeal had succeeded, the consequences would have reached far beyond trans communities, weakening protections for many Australians covered by discrimination law. 

“The judgment reinforces that anti-discrimination laws are intended to protect everyone, particularly groups such as trans women who often experience exclusion and disadvantage,” she said. 

Media Contact: Tara Ravens 0408 898 154