An Australian ‘Woman of the Year’ award has become the subject of furious backlash because the winner was not born female.
Transgender woman Brianna Skinner was named the 2025 Sydney Local Woman of the Year this week.
A NSW government initiative, the annual awards give MPs the opportunity to celebrate the contribution of women in their electorate.
Sydney MP Alex Greenwich announced Ms Skinner as his award winner as he hailed her as a ‘proud transgender woman and a fierce advocate for equality and her communities’.
‘I first met with Brianna in 2014, with her now wife Nuna, after she contacted my office to raise concerns about people in NSW being unable to change their gender on identification documents such as birth and marriage certificates,’ the independent MP wrote.
‘Brianna’s own experience of transitioning from male to female highlighted to her the discrimination and bureaucratic discrepancies that outdated NSW laws imposed on trans and gender diverse people.
‘This important conversation contributed to the foundation of what would become my Equality Bill.’
Sydney Local Woman of the Year 2025 winner is transgender woman Brianna Skinner, pictured (centre) with her wife Nuna (right) and Sydney MP Alex Greenwich (left)
Brianna Skinner is pictured centre, with Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore on her left and MP Alex Greenwich on her right
A retail floor manager at Westfield Bondi Junction, Ms Skinner was at work on the day of the deadly stabbing rampage in April 2024, where she played a key role in leading dozens of customers to safety.
‘Upon hearing unusual commotion, Brianna directed 40 customers toward the rear of the store, secured the shop and reassured people until police could evacuate them safely,’ Mr Greenwich said.
She is also a chilli-eating champion who has raised vital funds for veteran support service Soldier On.
‘As a repeat competition winner, Brianna moved to the Reaper Challenge, raising over $3,000 for Soldier On,’ Mr Greenwich added.
‘This led to Brianna travelling to Fort Mill, South Carolina, in the US Bible-belt to compete in the inaugural World Chilli Eating Competition and resulting documentary.
‘Brianna proudly represented Australia and transgender women, forging connections, and promoting inclusivity of diversity.’
Mr Greenwich also told the Star Observer: ‘From advocating for trans rights, raising money for veterans, to showing leadership in the harrowing Bondi Junction stabbing, Brianna is a true Sydney hero.’
A retail floor manager at Westfield Bondi Junction, Brianna was at work on the day of the deadly stabbing rampage in April 2024
He added that she ‘is one of the strongest people I know, someone dedicated to her community, and our global city’.
But the announcement has sparked outrage online.
Anti-trans campaigner Kirralie Smith wrote: ‘There is no end to the gaslighting.’
Outspoken commentator Prue MacSween described it as another exercise of virtue signalling.
‘There’s no doubt this person is a trailblazer, however, I would say that most women would find this award incredibly offensive,’ she told Daily Mail Australia.
‘This is yet another exercise of virtue signalling by (Sydney Lord Mayor) Clover Moore, Alex Greenwich and the usual suspects.
‘It has provided these devotees with the perfect opportunity to wave the flag.
‘But what it does is make a joke of this particular award category which is to honour women and reinforces the fact that women are again having to fight for their rights – we are modern day suffering suffragettes.’.
But not all comments were negative.
‘Brianna is a hero who helped save others during the Bondi Junction terror attack. You should have more respect for someone who has a proven record of actually protecting women,’ one man wrote in response to criticism.
