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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

Help with Australian equality law please.

6 replies

Ilikegreenshoes · 04/11/2020 09:07

I'm in a suburb in Perth, and I thought I'd have years before this became an issue, but while at swimming lessons on Friday, I watched a tall, obviously male person with long hair, swimming shorts and a bikini top walk straight into the showers in the women's change rooms. The layout means that he had to walk through the open plan area to get to a shower. This area often has women (including elderly women) in various states of undress, although thankfully that wasn't the case at the time this happened.

In fairness, he walked straight through to a shower cubicle, was in there for a short time then walked straight back out. It made me feel very uncomfortable, however, but I'm not sure if I should say anything to the centre or not.

So here's my question - is there anyone on these boards who has a good understanding of the laws in Australia around this topic? From being on these boards for years I have learnt an awful lot (thank you!) But most of my knowledge is around UK law, of course, which doesn't help me. Gender identity seems to be a protected characteristic in Australia, but I'm not sure how that works when it's in conflict with the rights of another group.

I know it seems like I'm maybe taking it too far, I just don't want to start a conversation with the local council if I don't have a proper understanding of my rights.

Any help would be much appreciated.

OP posts:
WhippetyStourie · 04/11/2020 22:25

Watching with interest. I’m in South Australia but much more familiar with UK side of things.

Mumofstanley · 05/11/2020 00:47

That's disappointing. My local has a sign saying all males over 8 must use male or family change rooms. (I'm also in Perth).

NotYourCisterinAus · 05/11/2020 01:34

I'm not a lawyer, but I did a bit of research and have come up with the Western Australian Gender Reassignment Act 2000 (amended 2019). You can check it out here: www.legislation.wa.gov.au/legislation/statutes.nsf/law_a1986.html

(As far as I can understand, there has to be medical or surgical "reassignment" involved in WA - you can't just self ID into women's spaces.)

NotYourCisterinAus · 05/11/2020 01:41

Also there's the Equal Opportunity Act 1984 (amended 2018) which has a fair bit about gender reassignment in Part II.

NotYourCisterinAus · 05/11/2020 01:42

Oops - forgot the link: www.legislation.wa.gov.au/legislation/statutes.nsf/law_a253.html

Ilikegreenshoes · 05/11/2020 10:34

Thank you so much, I'll have a good read tonight.

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