The Facts
An Australian court Friday ruled that a female-only social media app had subjected a transgender woman to “indirect gender discrimination” with a ban in 2021.
The court asked Giggle For Girls to pay Roxanne Tickle Australian $10K in legal fees, but denied her request for an apology as there was no direct discrimination.
The Spin
The landmark Roxanne Tickle versus Giggle for Girls case hinged on the definition of "woman" under Australian law. The court clarified that sex is changeable and not limited to birth assignment, rejecting arguments of immutability. This strengthens protections for transgender individuals, affirming their right to be recognized according to their gender identity.
Roxanne Tickle was biologically male. Sex is biologically determined and unchangeable. Giggle For Girls' mission is to create a safe, women-only space. Letting in Tickle would compromise the platform's safety and integrity. While the court has ruled against Giggle, the fact remains that the app's exclusion of Tickle was rooted in safeguarding a space designed exclusively for biological women.
