Win or lose the Human Rights Review Tribunal case - What’s at stake for women and lesbians?
Helen Joyce (Sex Matters UK), Jan Rivers (GenSpect), Suzanne Levy (Speak Up For Women), Marg Curnow and Hilary Oxley (LAVA), speaking at the Women’s Rights Party meeting in Wellington, Oct 25.
At a recent Women’s Rights Party gathering in Wellington, we were honoured to share the stage with Helen Joyce, Director of Sex Matters UK and a strong supporter of LAVA. Representing LAVA were Marg Curnow and Hilary Oxley, our named litigants in the Human Rights Tribunal case against Wellington Pride for excluding us from Out in the City.
With LAVA preparing to enter the Tribunal’s summing-up stage, Helen’s firm reminder of the societal reach of gender ideology, its threat to women, and our challenge against it was hugely affirming.
In her 14 minutes and 23 seconds, Hilary outlined the benefits for women if LAVA prevails and the risks if we do not.
Hilary’s thoughts were,
If we prevail …
Our perspective will be considered worthy of respect and ‘not hateful’, making respectfully speaking up about sex based rights OK.
Journalists reporting on any aspect of gender ideology will be able to cite a court ruling that states in NZ, gender-critical views are protected under the Human Rights Act.
LAVA’s participation in Pride sends a message that we can foster a respectful, inclusive environment. It shows that even when we disagree, we can support one another’s right to coexist and celebrate what matters most.
The presence of older Lesbians at Pride events allows younger lesbians to connect with their herstory and to be affirmed as gender non-conforming, yet still 100% lesbian.
Winning this case will help preserve women-only and lesbian-only spaces by ensuring that holding sex-based views is recognised as reasonable and legally protected.
If we lose …
Losing our case will encourage even encroachment into lesbian spaces, while lesbian individuals and groups such as LAVA will continue to be excluded and criticized.
We risk losing the right to defend the achievements of the past 60+ years—hard-won through the efforts of the Lesbian, Women’s Liberation, and Gay Liberation movements. These accomplishments are vital to preserve, and a defeat would weaken the legal foundations that support them.
Hilary’s speech also built on ideas explored in Garwhoungle’s Substack, The Ministry Has Fallen, which we would encourage you to read. Garwhoungle has (so far) published an insightful seven-part series on The Curious Case of Pride vs the Lesbians. Garwhoungle’s writing is accessible, compelling, and consistently encouraging, offering thoughtful analysis that complements Hilary’s points.