{"id":16362,"date":"2026-06-11T13:16:17","date_gmt":"2026-06-11T03:16:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rationalemagazine.com\/?p=16362"},"modified":"2026-06-11T13:19:15","modified_gmt":"2026-06-11T03:19:15","slug":"the-law-must-change-to-reflect-scientific-reality","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rationalemagazine.com\/index.php\/2026\/06\/11\/the-law-must-change-to-reflect-scientific-reality\/","title":{"rendered":"The law must change to reflect scientific reality"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"mp_wrapper\">\n  <div class=\"mepr-unauthorized-excerpt\">\n    <p>Editor\u2019s note: If you would like to submit a letter for possible publication, please email it to editor@rationalist.com.au. See our Publishing Guideline\n&nbsp;\nDear Editor,\nThe Federal Court has done what it is supposed to do \u2013 apply the law as it stands. It has found that Sal Grover discriminated against a person born as a man but who declared himself a woman.\nSince amendments in 2013 removed any reference to what a \u2018woman\u2019 actually is, the Sex Discrimination Act, deliberately or inadvertently, has allowed this absurd state of affairs.\u00a0\nIt's not the fault of the courts. It's the law that is at fault, and the only way to fix this absurdity is to change the law.\u00a0\nHaving been a supporter of progressive parties all my life, this is the issue that will change my vote. Not because I have anything against people expressing their gender in diverse ways, but because I uphold scientific \u2013 and, in this case, biological \u2013 reality.\u00a0\nSex is biological and binary; gender is sociological and on a spectrum. The Sex Discrimination Act must be changed to reflect this scientific reality.\nMeredith Doig\nPresident Emerita, Rationalist Society of Australia\n&nbsp;\nOn Australia's public education system\nDear Editor,\nReligion has no place whatsoever in the public school system in any state in Australia \u2013 or in any country, come to that (\u2018Faith committee demands NSW public schools ask for religious identity of children\u2019, 24 May 2026, Rationalist Society of Australia).\nGiven most religions' long history...<\/p>\n  <\/div>\n  <div class=\"mepr-unauthorized-message\">\n    <hr style=\"width: 100%;max-width: 1000px !important;height: 5px;border-width: 0;color: red;background-color: red\" \/>\n<div style=\"text-align: center\">\n<h3><em>You're part way through this article. Want to keep reading?<\/em><\/h3>\n<h4><em>Only members of the Rationalist Society of Australia can read our Premium articles.\u00a0<\/em><\/h4>\n<h3 style=\"height: 20px\"><span style=\"color: #c83200\"><em><a style=\"color: #c83200\" href=\"https:\/\/rationalist.com.au\/membership\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Become a member today.<\/a><\/em><\/span><\/h3>\n<h4><em>Already a member? 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