An earthquake has hit Australian politics. The recent Full Federal Court ruling in the Giggle v Tickle case has left many Australian women furious. This is no small legal dispute — it is an event that could reshape Australia’s political landscape for years to come. Politicians who stayed silent for years are suddenly finding their voices in support of sex-based rights. The tide is turning.
The hashtag #IStandWithSallGrover is trending strongly across Australia, and Australian women have made it crystal clear: we have had ENOUGH!
But this moment didn’t come from nowhere.
Let’s Go Back to 2013
It all traces back to what Julia Gillard — Australia’s first and only female Prime Minister — set in motion almost 13 years ago, with then-Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus.
In 2013, under Gillard’s leadership and with Dreyfus as Attorney-General, the Labor government quietly removed the clear biological definitions of “man” and “woman” from the Sex Discrimination Act and replaced them with the vague concept of “gender identity.” There was no referendum, minimal public debate, and little scrutiny.
As Sall Grover powerfully wrote in The Australian:
“I will never be lectured on misogyny by Julia Gillard, and neither should you. While the former PM continues to lecture the world on what it means to be a woman in public life, I am left dealing with her disastrous legacy.”
Gillard continues to speak at international women’s events about misogyny and sexism. But this week, that narrative faced a direct public challenge.
The Hay Festival Moment
At the prestigious Hay Festival in Wales, a brave woman stood up on her chair, unfurled a large banner, and confronted Julia Gillard directly. The banner boldly declared:
“Julia Gillard DESTROYER of WOMEN’S RIGHTS” (“DESTROYER” in bright pink).
She shouted, “What about Sall Grover?” The ladies from Terf Island spoke some hard truths — and that banner said it all.
The London Protest: “Terven Assemble!”
This confrontation at Hay was not an isolated act of defiance. Just two days earlier, over 100 supporters had gathered outside the Australian High Commission in London in a powerful show of international solidarity.
The protest was organised by the tireless UK grassroots group @acts_grassroots. As Mr Menno posted on X:
And assemble they did.
The gathering started around 1pm London time with the cheeky chant: “He’s a Bruce, not a Sheila — Google Autogynephilia!” Protesters brought banners, inflatable kangaroos, and a purple dinosaur. Powerful speeches were delivered by UK women’s rights advocates including Mr Menno, Annaig Birdy, and Michelle Shipworth, while Sall Grover’s own message was read out by Tara Hughes. The two-hour rally ended with a rousing, impromptu rendition of Waltzing Matilda.
This powerful show of solidarity from British (and international) women matters deeply — especially at a time when open protest in Australia is often stifled by censorship, no-platforming, and fear of cancellation. Australian women are fighting hard on the ground: running campaigns, supporting Sall Grover’s High Court appeal, pushing politicians to #FixTheSDA, and speaking out despite the personal cost. The UK’s actions are amplifying our voice on the world stage.
The momentum is clearly building. Women — both here in Australia and overseas — are no longer willing to stay silent while our rights are erased in law.
The battle continues — in the courts, on the streets, and in public opinion. Australian women are cleaning up a mess created 13 years ago, and with our international sisters standing beside us, we are not backing down.
#IStandWithSallGrover #FixTheSDA
YouTube:
This video by Mr Menno captures highlights from the 23 May rally held in support of Sall Grover following the Federal Court appeal decision in Giggle v Tickle. Featuring speeches, crowd footage, and moments from the event, the video documents the strong public response and concerns raised about the impact of the ruling on sex-based rights and protections for women in Australia.
After technical issues affected the original livestream, this updated version has been remastered with improved audio and additional footage to provide a clearer and more complete record of the rally.
Photo Gallery
Sharing some wonderful photos from the London rally, kindly taken and shared by our sisters in the UK. I don’t own these images — all credit belongs to the talented women who documented the day. Your work helps amplify our fight for women’s rights.
