An update on the HRRT case
Our case is in the Human Rights Review Tribunal (HRRT) and it is open for anyone to come along.
Wellington Pride Festival committee will be defending in court in September and October 2025. Time to show up!
Please share, support, and fight against anti-trans activism alongside us.
What’s this about?
In early 2021, the Wellington Pride Festival Board (now WPF committee) refused a stall spot at our Out in the City Fair for a group of anti-trans activists called LAVA (Lesbian Action for Visibility Aotearoa). We chose not to accept their application because they did not fit with the kaupapa of our event.
We are being sued. When this case was brought, our options were to apologise and let them into all future events—or fight. The case is being fought over whether we discriminated against LAVA on the basis of their sex, sexual orientation, and political opinion.
We are proud to defend our decision in court.
Who is LAVA?
LAVA is a small group of anti trans activists. LAVA was formed in the 1980s to support Homosexual Law Reform, but it was reformed in 2020 “to fight gender ideology”. They are aligned with global anti trans groups like the LGB Alliance and people such as Posie Parker.
Since this kicked off in 2021, Wellington Pride Festival have had two days of mediation with LAVA. Then later in September 2023, we were told that we were being sued in the Human Rights Review Tribunal.
Since September 2023, representatives from the Wellington Pride Festival have been working with a legal team to prepare for this case. We have engaged a large number of experts, academics, medical professionals, advocates, and community leaders who are in our corner. Everyone is helping us pro-bono, but there are still some costs we need to cover.
What happens with the court case?
We have been given four weeks of hearing in the Human Rights Review Tribunal, spread between July and October 2025.
Our case kicks off properly in September 2025 which is when Pride’s side will be heard. Our case dates are:
1 - 5 September 2025
15 - 19 September 2025
6 - 10 October 2025
During these weeks, our legal team, witnesses, and experts will be in court representing Pride’s defense. We ask our community to show up peacefully in support of our trans* whānau.
Where our case will be heard
In September, we will be in the District Court of Wellington, 43 – 49 Balance Street, in Courtroom 5.1
In October. we will be in the Wellington Tribunals Unit, Level 1 86 Customhouse Quay, in Room 1.
I want to support, how can I?
Our community stands together. We welcome support and help from our community as we fight against anti-trans activism.
If you would like to donate money to help with our costs and support our experts/team on the day, please head to our Givealittle page.
We will also be putting out the call on social media and via our newsletter closer to the time for our rainbow community to rally peacefully outside the court to support our witnesses when our defense takes place.
Please share our info widely among your friends, whānau, networks, and communities.
