An Australian women's rights activist, Sall Grover, has withdrawn from a scheduled rally, citing safety fears after receiving a series of death threats. Grover, known for her stance against the inclusion of transgender athletes in female sports, was set to speak at the 'Rally for Women's Rights' in Sydney on Sunday.
In statements shared with 2GB host Ben Fordham, Grover detailed the nature of the threats, which included explicit violent messages. One threat read, "We're going to put a bullet through your f***ing head." Another stated, "You will suffer immense physical anguish for putting our side in harm's way."
Grover indicated that the abuse had escalated, referencing a recent NSW Supreme Court ruling that ordered a party to pay $95,000 to two transgender soccer players who were deemed to have been unlawfully vilified. One of the messages received by Grover referenced this ruling, stating, "So happy you lost $100,000 but it’s not f***ing enough we WILL ruin your life as much as humanly possible."
Another message included a picture of Grover with the caption "1 terf, 1 bullet," using the acronym TERF, which stands for 'Trans-Exclusionary Radical Feminist,' often employed as a derogatory term for women who oppose trans-inclusive movements. The message also included warnings that trans activists would "never stop pursuing your suffering" and that they were "all over the world" and connected via the internet.
Grover stated that she is not willing to put herself or any other woman in harm's way. She explained that her activism is focused on seeking government action to restore the "accurate definition of woman" in the sex discrimination act, to maintain women-only spaces, and to stop the penalization of those who "recognise reality."
She described her movement as largely comprised of middle-aged women who do not advocate for silencing opposing views. Grover asserted that her group does not engage in sending threats or intimidation tactics, viewing counter-protests as a legitimate part of societal discourse. However, she expressed opposition to incitement and stated that holding rallies to defend women's rights currently necessitates police protection from trans activists.
Grover has also initiated legal proceedings against several trans rights activist groups, following the circulation of a flyer that allegedly promoted a counter-protest and labeled her a "racist transphobe."