"A step backwards and is rooted in patriarchy" - Martina Navratilova condemns court ruling in favor of transgender woman banned from women-only app
Martina Navratilova recently condemned the court ruling which came in favor of a transgender woman who sued a women-only app for alleged gender discrimination. Navratilova described the decision as leaning towards patriarchy.
Roxanne Tickle, a transgender woman from Australia's New South Wales, was barred from using the social media app 'Giggle for Girls' in 2021. Initially, the app's AI identified her as female, but she was later excluded. Subsequently, Tickle sued the app and its CEO, Sall Grover, claiming her removal was unlawful.
Following the proceedings, Federal Court Justice Robert Bromwich explained the respondents view of gender as unchangeable clashed with established legal precedents, which interpret sex as changeable.
“These arguments failed because the view propounded by the respondents conflicted with a long history of cases decided by courts going back over 30 years. Those … cases established that on its ordinary meaning sex is changeable,” Bromwich said (via the Guardian).
Tickle also expressed her delight at the ruling coming in her favor. She said that the outcome of the case shows that all women are protected from discrimination.
“I’m pleased by the outcome of my case and I hope it is healing for trans and gender diverse people. The ruling shows that all women are protected from discrimination,” she said.
Amnesty International later shared the news on their X handle, which subsequently garnerd criticizm from Navratilova. The 18-time Major champion, claimed that the ruling supported patriarchy and criticized the tweet for being misleading, adding that the image used by the organization was not that of Tickle's.
"This is a step backwards and is rooted in patriarchy, thank you. And that’s not the real photo. A totally disingenuous tweet- That’s not Roxanne Tickle," Navratilova replied on X.
Roxanne Tickle has been awarded $10,000 plus costs, after the hearing came in her favor.
Martina Navratilova opposed the inclusion of Italian trans sprinter in the 2024 Paris Paralympics
Martina Navratilova has frequently spoken for excluding trans athletes from women's sports, arguing that they have an unfair advantage. The 67-year-old kept the same stance while opposing the participation of an Italian trans sprinter, Valentina Petrillo in the forthcoming Paralympic Games in Paris.
The BBC shared an article on the development, highlighting that Petrillo will be the first transgender athlete to compete in the Paralympics game. The Italian will compete in the T12 200m and 400m category.
Navratilova later criticized the development on X writing:
"Including males in the women’s category means excluding females. It’s that simple," Navratilova wrote.
Martina Navratilova has long been someone who has spoken about women's sports, previously asserting that it should not become a platform for "failed male athletes."