16 April 2026
Q+Law strongly opposes the Lesbian Action Group’s efforts to exclude transgender women from public events.
On 15 April 2026, the Federal Court allowed an appeal from the Lesbian Action Group (LAG), which is seeking to exclude trans women from public events.
This decision is a technical win only. It remains against the law for the Lesbian Action Group, other womens’ groups, and anyone else, to discriminate against trans women. It simply means the Administrative Review Tribunal will reconsider LAG’s application, due to technical legal errors.
Q+Law condemns trans discrimination in all its forms. As Victoria’s specialist LGBTQIA+SB legal service, we see the impacts of trans discrimination and exclusion every day.
1 in 3 people who approach us for help is trans or gender diverse. Our trans clients experiencing discrimination report high levels of distress and re-traumatisation. It can impact their ability to work, their mental health, and their relationships with the people around them.
The LGBTQIA+SB community can only be safe when it is safe for everyone. The same systems that harm trans women also harm cis women, and the fight for gender justice has been long entwined with trans rights. There is not one without the other.
Q+Law, along with 14 other LGBTQIA+ organisations, opposed LAG’s first attempt to exclude trans women in 2023, when they applied to the Australian Human Rights Commission for an exemption to the Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (Cth).
We hope the Tribunal will affirm the Commission’s original decision, and ensure transgender women can fully participate in all areas of public life.
Quotes attributable to Cassandra Martin, Acting Director of Q+Law
“Our lawyers are seeing more and more cases of trans discrimination. It can look like misgendering in the workplace, exclusion from “women only” spaces, and online harassment and abuse. Around a third of our current casework files involve discrimination suffered by trans people.”
“To our trans and gender diverse community: you are not alone. Q+Law supports trans and gender diverse clients across Victoria. If you have experienced discrimination and want to speak to a lawyer, please contact us.”
-ENDS-
Media Enquiries
Kim Koelmeyer
Media & Communications Manager
media@fls.org.au
0413 820 157
About Q+Law
Q+Law is a free, state-wide, legal service for LGBTIQA+SB Victorians. We are a safe entry point for individuals looking for legal advice, information or referrals to culturally safe organisations.
Q+Law is a program of Fitzroy Legal Service, in partnership with Queerspace.
Learn more at qlaw.org.au.
