Lucy Zelic has launched an extraordinary tirade against trans women, with the former SBS broadcaster telling biological men to ‘stop pretending’ to be women.
Zelic, 37, recently voiced her opposition to the inclusion of a football team – Flying Bats FC – in a Football NSW competition, with five of the women’s players born as biological males.
“I’m a big believer in protecting the integrity of the sport,” she said, emphasizing that she is “not transphobic.”
The presenter, who covered the World Cup for SBS, has since posted a 697-word statement on her X account on Tuesday, claiming that trans women will never be able to share the experience of biological women.
“If trans women were women, there would be no discussion about what a woman is, because there is no discussion and never should be about what a woman is,” she said.
Lucy Zelic has attacked transgender women in an extraordinary attack on social media
Zelic previously worked for Australian broadcaster SBS, but left the company in 2021
“The fact that this is so is a major stain on the timeline of our history and those responsible for silencing, judging and disregarding women over this should be deeply ashamed. They will not be forgotten.’
She then listed the numerous traumatic experiences of a woman that, she believes, can never be experienced by those who have transitioned from male to female.
“Stop pretending you know what it feels like to go for a walk alone and feel your heart stop when you see a man or a slow car approaching,” she said, among other things.
An SBS spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia that Zelic left the broadcaster in 2021.
Zelic’s post provoked a number of negative comments from her followers, including one who said: ‘Rough to see you going down this path.’
There were also a handful of responses supporting Zelic’s position.
Sydney Mayor Clover Moore said last month that trans women were “among the most vulnerable people in society” as he announced a new initiative to provide affordable accommodation in a sought-after part of the city.
Trans women are among the most vulnerable people in our society and often face rejection and isolation from their families of origin and the wider community,” she said in a statement on social media.
“Providing safe and affordable housing for trans women is essential to their well-being,” she said.
‘We want all people to have confidence in themselves.’
Harry Potter author JK Rowling has been an outspoken critic of the transgender movement and clashed with activists online over her steadfast views – leading to calls for her to be investigated under Scotland’s new hate crime rules.
Rowling was referred to police in Scotland for referring to a number of transgender women, including campaigners, convicted prisoners and celebrities, as “men” in a series of tweets.
Scottish police later confirmed that no action would be taken against the famous British writer after she challenged the country’s new hate law with the flood of messages.
On the Flying Bats official website, they claim they are ‘the largest LGBTQIA+ women’s and non-binary football club in the world’.
Club president Jennifer Peden told Daily Mail Australia: ‘As a club, Flying Bats FC stands strongly for inclusion and prides itself on safe, respectful and fair play, the promotion of a supportive community for LGBTQIA+ players, officials and supporters, and the significant physical, social and mental health benefits of participating in sports, especially for marginalized members of the LGBTQIA+ community. We are a club that values our cisgender and transgender players equally.
“We strongly support the Australian Human Rights Commission’s guidelines for the inclusion of transgender and gender diverse people in sport.
“These guidelines, together with the Sex Discrimination Act, form the basis for Football Australia, Football NSW and the North West Sydney Football Association’s gender inclusion policies at the community, grassroots level at which we play.
“Trans women belong in the women’s league because that is the gender they identify with. Trans women have been playing at the club for at least 20 years, at levels ranging from beginner to advanced, just like our cis women players.
“Our players are assessed for skill and placed in the team most appropriate for their skill and experience level.”