Leonie Crosse’s letter (“‘Cruel’ law changes will hurt all women”) presents a misleading view of proposals to strengthen recognition of biological sex in anti-discrimination law.
Recognising sex as a material reality based on biology does not weaken women’s protections — it restores them. Single-sex spaces, services and sports exist because of physical differences and male-pattern violence, not stereotypes. Biological males retain significant advantages in strength, speed and muscle mass, which is why major international sporting bodies have restricted their participation in female categories. In prisons, shelters and changing rooms, self-ID policies have led to documented safeguarding failures.
Requiring verification of sex in single-sex contexts is not cruel or invasive. A simple cheek swab DNA test, done once in a lifetime, is straightforward and far less intrusive than the loss of privacy and safety women would otherwise face.
Women with variations of sex characteristics or who reject stereotypes are already protected under sex discrimination law. There is no need to erase biological sex.
Fairness for women is not bigotry.
Dr Elizabeth Caballero
Women Speak Tasmania
Letter to The Mercury published on 04.06.26
Leonie Crosse’s letter published in The Mercury 03.06.26
