Disc golfer sparks debate after refusing to play trans opponent just days after fencer was punished for the same thing
Topics: Sport, LGBTQ, Social Media
Mia Williams
Featured Image Credit: @abiygritte/Instagram
Topics: Sport, LGBTQ, Social Media
Warning: This article contains discussion of discrimination against the trans community which some readers may find distressing.
A female disc golfer refused to compete against a transgender opponent, just days after the same incident occurred during a fencing bout in the US.
Abigail Wilson was preparing to step up to compete in a disc golf tournament in Tennessee against trans opponent Natalie Ryan, before promptly leaving in protest.
As she pretended to take her shot, she turned to onlookers and shouted: "Females must be protected, I refuse to play."
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Fans in the crowd applauded her as she grabbed her belongings and left the venue, and later posted a lengthy statement on social media.
Wilson said: "Today I most likely ended my career, but this is bigger than me."
Speaking more about her intentions, she added: "I have worked so hard to get to this point to play on the DGPT, but the sacrifice of my career and my hard work is worth it if it means I can make a difference for other women, daughters, nieces, and the future of our sport."
She also encouraged others to speak out about transgender women competing in female teams.
Wilson wrote: "If you feel how wrong it is to have biological males be competing in female protected divisions in sports, now is the time to speak up and stand your ground."
Explaining why she 'took a stand', she added: "I took this stand today because I was having anxiety about playing with the openly trans player on tour because of the planned protests for this year and the threats of violence at the event last year."
The Disc Golf Pro Tour responded to Wilson's protest, in a statement which said: "The DGPT supports the right of all competitors to protest and have their voices heard, and no disciplinary action, official or otherwise, is being taken for yesterday’s protest."
They confirmed that no policies had been violated, and that Wilson was welcome to go back and compete whenever she wants.
However, Wilson was met with criticism online.
"Trans women are women", one X user stated.
"I wish people would do their research before they make a judgement call", another pointed out.
"'Safety on the course'? Because a trans person will throw a Frisbee at her head? I'm confused", a third questioned.
But it isn't the only sporting event in the US this week where a similar moment has occurred.
Over the weekend (6 April) female fencer Stephanie Turner took the knee during a fencing bout with trans fencer Redmond Sullivan, repeatedly misgendering her to media, in Maryland for the Cherry Blossom Open.
Footage from the controversial moment has since gone viral, being viewed millions of times.
The clip has been pretty divisive across social media, and some people have slammed officials for the 'massive punishment' they handed Turner by throwing her out of the games.