Transgender Soccer Player Wins Vilification Case Against Anti-Trans Campaigner

Riley Dennis, a transgender soccer player, successfully won a vilification case in the NSW local court against Kirralie Smith. The magistrate ruled that Smith had unlawfully vilified Dennis through social media posts, deeming them capable of inciting serious contempt and ridicule.

The case stemmed from a social media campaign launched by Smith in 2023, aimed at preventing transgender players from participating in women's soccer in NSW. Smith targeted Dennis, who was then playing in a semi-professional league, and made claims on Facebook that a transgender player had injured female players during a match. These posts sparked calls to ban Dennis from women's soccer.

During the court proceedings, Smith admitted she had no evidence to support her claims of Dennis causing injuries. The magistrate found that Smith's posts were disproportionate and lacked objective good faith, particularly due to her refusal to use Dennis's preferred pronouns and her dismissive attitude towards the impact of her posts.

Dennis, speaking publicly about the ordeal, stated that going to court was a last resort. She felt compelled to stand up for herself and other queer and trans individuals who simply wanted to play sports. Dennis, originally from the US, gained public attention through her YouTube channel, where she shared content related to transgender issues.

Following Smith's campaign, Dennis was not offered a spot in the same league. She expressed understanding of teams' reluctance to sign her due to the potential negative attention and political implications. Football Australia is currently developing an inclusion policy for transgender and gender-diverse people.

The case highlights the broader issue of transgender women in sports, which has become a contentious topic globally. International sports governing bodies have tightened eligibility rules, and the presence of transgender athletes in women's sports often sparks controversy.

Dennis returned to play with her LGBTQI+ community team, the Flying Bats, hoping the backlash would ease. However, the campaign intensified, focusing on her success on the pitch. Dennis and her teammate, Sam Lewis, have faced online targeting and scrutiny. Lewis, the club president, reported a lack of support from Football NSW and Football Australia.

The court will consider further submissions regarding damages and costs later this year. Dennis sought an injunction to prevent Smith from identifying her again, a public apology, the removal of offensive posts, and the implementation of an anti-discrimination policy within Smith's organization.