The Lesbian Action Group (LAG) in Melbourne has submitted an application to the Human Rights Commission, seeking a five-year temporary exemption to host an exclusive event at the Victorian Pride Centre. The event, proposed to take place on Sunday, October 15, 2023, is intended to celebrate International Lesbian Day. LAG’s vision is to organize an “all-day fun-filled culturally appropriate lesbians born female only event,” aimed at fostering a sense of unity and celebration within the lesbian community.
In their submission, LAG highlights the significance of the exemption due to prevailing discrimination laws that have limited the size of gatherings for ‘lesbian-born female’ groups since 2003. Moreover, LAG emphasizes the obstacle created by the inability to effectively publicize events, hampering outreach efforts, particularly among younger lesbians. The requested exemption, if granted, would create an event exclusive to individuals who identify as ‘Lesbian Born Female,’ excluding heterosexual, bisexual, and gay males, as well as heterosexual, bisexual, transgender, and queer plus individuals.
This application follows a broader discourse on inclusivity and representation within the LGBTQ+ community. While LAG’s intentions are rooted in celebrating and nurturing the lesbian identity, concerns have been raised regarding potential exclusionary consequences. Notably, a similar application in 2021, made by Jessica Hoyle, seeking an exemption for a ‘female-only’ drag king event, was rejected by the Tasmanian Anti-discrimination Commissioner, sparking conversations on the boundaries of inclusivity and the intersection of identity within the LGBTQ+ spectrum.
As the Human Rights Commission reviews LAG’s application, the broader LGBTQ+ community engages in dialogues surrounding the delicate balance between the celebration of specific identities and the broader mission of inclusivity that underpins the community’s core values. The outcome of this application has the potential to influence future discussions on the dynamics between representation, inclusiveness, and the diverse range of identities within the vibrant tapestry of the LGBTQ+ movement.