The appeal brought the total damages to 20,000 Australian dollars for Tickle, alongside extended costs for the appeal and cross-appeal.

Costs and damages are to be paid within 60 days of the ruling.

The case drew high-profile attention, including public statements of support from figures like JK Rowling for Grover, underscoring broader debates on transgender rights and exclusionary movements.

Tickle was supported by the Sex Discrimination Commissioner and organizations such as the Australian Human Rights Commission and Equality Australia, while Grover’s side received crowdfunding backing from groups including the Lesbian Action Group.

Justice Melissa Perry delivered the ruling, with a Full Court panel comprising Justices Perry, Kennett, and Abraham presiding.

Both sides appealed; Tickle cross-appealed to have discrimination deemed direct and to secure higher damages.

The decision marks Australia’s first gender identity discrimination ruling in federal court and may have wider implications for public spaces, sports, and events.

Background notes indicate Tickle has identified as a woman since 2017, underwent gender-affirming care, and holds an updated female birth certificate; Grover previously described transgender women as “male” and framed the site as a refuge from men.

In a landmark decision, a Federal Court upheld that Roxanne Tickle, a transgender woman, faced direct discrimination on two occasions related to her gender identity when the founder of Giggles for Girls, Sall Grover, removed her from the app in 2021 and refused to reinstate her.

The Full Court reversed the 2024 ruling, ruling that Grover’s actions constitute direct discrimination under the Sex Discrimination Act, not indirect discrimination.

The court held that Giggles for Girls and Grover excluded Tickle because of her gender-related appearance, violating protections against discrimination in the provision of goods and services.

Damages were increased to 20,000 Australian dollars, with the court ordering Giggle and Grover to pay costs up to 50,000 Australian dollars.