LAVA v PRIDE - HRC, May Update
In this update, we talk about where we are with our case, the release of our Expert Witness’s Briefs of Evidence, Sall Grover, Helen Joyce, New Zealand First’s Definition of Woman and Man Bill, and, of course, fundraising.
Our Case. While neither sitting nor wringing our hands in frustration, we do still wait for any murmurs from the HRC about our case. We are putting this time to good use, though, with various members of LAVA working hard on other projects being undertaken by our sister women’s groups and organisations.
Expert Briefs of Evidence. Amongst all these events, we are extremely pleased to post our own witness Briefs of Evidence in the LAVA v Pride case held last November. We thank our expert witnesses who have readily and freely given their time and expertise to our case. You can access the Expert Witness statements on our website. See the Briefs of Evidence HERE
Sal Grover. As we all come to terms with the outcome of Giggle v Tickle, LAVA is busy reviewing the decision and discussing ‘where to from here’?
Sall Grover has shown enormous courage over the four years of fighting for the right to have an app for women, and we feel gutted but not surprised by the verdict. The Court can only work within the law, and in this case, we need to go back to 2013 to understand why the judgment fell as it did. Ms Gillard’s Government may not have intended to remove sex based protections when they added gender identity to the characteristics protected by the Sex Discrimination Act, but because they did so without a clear statement that sex‑based distinctions remain lawful where women’s safety, dignity and privacy require it that is the result. We doubt they would have predicted the amended law would be used by trans activists to force Sall Grover to allow a biological male to access and take part in a female sex class only app.
Giggle for Girls was designed exclusively for ‘women’s business’. Ask the First Nations people of Australia, and they will be able to clearly differentiate between what is ‘Women’s Business’ and what is ‘Men’s Business’. We know that Roxy Tickle had no business forcing his way into ‘Women’s Business ’. It was a clear act of male privilege and the worst kind of male aggression against women.
Helen Joyce. When Helen Joyce came to New Zealand, she generously gave her time and sat in the HRC Tribunal Hearing with us and spoke about our case at a public forum organised by the Free Speech Union. Helen gave us her wisdom and the moral encouragement and energy boost we needed. One key takeaway was that the law needs to centre sex rather than gender identity. We have, over the past year, applauded the turning of the tide against institutional capture and recognised that the shift is driven by Court challenges, investigative journalism, and public enquiry.
Definition Bill Speaking of action, our friends at Speak Up for Women New Zealand are supporting the early stages of New Zealand First’s Definition of Woman and Man Bill, which has been drawn and will be debated in Parliament.
If the Bill progresses to the Select Committee stage, interested community groups will be able to make submissions. There is also hope that the wording could be amended so that, rather than using the gender-related terms “woman” and “man”, it instead refers to “female sex” and “male sex”.
In his Facebook post on April 2, 2026, Winston Peters reminds those who will rail against it, "This bill is not about being anti-anyone or anti-anything. This is about ensuring we as a country focus on the facts of biology and protect the term 'woman' in law.
If you are available, head along to Parliament on the 21st May, it’s going to be a late one – probably between 8 pm and 9 pm.
Fundraising Your donation centres you in this fight for women’s and Lesbian rights. It is magnificent to think that our supporters have so far raised an astounding $127,460 of our goal of $158,405. To finally pay the last of our generous, patient, and wonderful lawyer's fees, we need to raise $30,945.17. Let’s do it!
If you can, please donate, small or large; every donation is appreciated.