The founder of the women-only social media app Giggle for Girls, Sall Grover, has indicated she will appeal to the High Court after a full bench of the Federal Court upheld a landmark discrimination ruling in favour of transgender woman Roxanne Tickle.
On Friday, justices Melissa Perry, Wendy Abraham and Geoffrey Kennett affirmed an August 2024 finding that Tickle was discriminated against on the basis of her gender identity, and doubled her damages to $20,000. The court also ordered Grover and the app to pay costs of up to $100,000.
The full bench found Tickle was directly discriminated against twice: first when she was excluded from the app in 2021 after uploading a selfie, and second when her readmission was refused. The judges ruled this was contrary to section 22 of the Sex Discrimination Act 1984.
Grover's legal team had argued the app constituted a 'special measure' under the Act, designed as a safe space for women. Tickle cross-appealed, claiming she was treated as 'a hostile invader' and sought higher damages.
Outside court, Tickle said she hoped her case would show 'trans people that you can be brave and that you can stand up for yourself'. The case is the first gender identity discrimination matter to reach the Federal Court and has attracted international attention.
