An Australian court has permitted a lesbian group to ban trans women from events. The Federal Court ruled the Melbourne-based Lesbian Action Group can exclude trans women for five years.

The group sought an exemption from Australia's Sex Discrimination Act. This law normally prevents groups from excluding people based on gender identity. The court battle has continued for several years.

The Lesbian Action Group organises public events in Melbourne. They argued they should create women-only spaces. The group said this mattered for their members' comfort and safety.

Trans rights groups opposed the legal challenge. They said excluding trans women from lesbian events causes significant harm. Many LGBTQ+ organisations disagreed with the court's decision.

Australia's Sex Discrimination Act protects people from unfair treatment. It covers discrimination based on sexuality and gender identity. Groups can sometimes receive exemptions for specific religious or cultural reasons.

The five-year exemption allows the group to legally exclude trans women until 2029. Other lesbian organisations in Australia have different inclusion policies. Some welcome all women whilst others have similar restrictions.

The court case has divided opinions in Australia's LGBTQ+ community. Some people support women-only spaces whilst others want full inclusion. Legal experts say the decision could affect other similar cases.

The Lesbian Action Group celebrated the court ruling as a victory. Trans advocacy groups expressed disappointment with the outcome. Both sides may continue disputing inclusion policies in future.