Importance Score: 75 / 100 🔴
Disc Golfer Protests Transgender Athlete Participation at Music City Open
A video capturing professional women’s disc golfer Abigail Wilson’s refusal to compete against a transgender player went viral Friday, garnering support from advocates for women’s sports. The incident at the MVP Music City Open in Nashville, Tennessee, highlights ongoing debates surrounding transgender athlete inclusion in female sports categories. This stand echoes a recent instance where fencer Stephanie Turner declined to face a transgender opponent, intensifying the spotlight on fairness and inclusion in competitive sports.
Wilson’s Protest at MVP Music City Open
The incident unfolded at the MVP Music City Open, a Disc Golf Pro Tour and Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA) sanctioned event. As her name was announced, Wilson approached the tee box, mimed a throw without releasing her disc, and turned to address the spectators.
“Females must be protected in our division!” Wilson declared to those present. “This is unfair. I refuse to play!” She then gathered her belongings and left the competition area.
Wilson subsequently shared footage of her protest in an Instagram video posted on Friday.
Athlete Explains Stance on Social Media
In the Instagram caption accompanying the video, Wilson elaborated on her protest: “Today I refused to play at the Music City Open. Female divisions deserve protection. This is unjust. Reaching the DGPT has required immense dedication, but sacrificing my career and effort is worthwhile if it helps safeguard opportunities for other women, daughters, nieces, and the sport’s future. If you recognize the inequity of biological males competing in female-designated sports divisions, now is the moment to voice your opinion and take a firm stance.”
Wilson further explained her apprehension regarding competing with an openly transgender athlete, citing concerns about planned protests and prior threats of violence at the previous year’s event. “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. After speaking with a member of the DGPT staff yesterday they made it clear they would be unwilling to change me to an earlier tee time when regarding my fears of safety on the course.”
Security Concerns Raised by Wilson
Wilson also raised concerns about security measures at the event. “They assured me that there would be bag checks, police, and security at the event. Upon arriving this morning there was no security or police presence, I was also allowed entry even though I did not have my credentials. There were zero security precautions.”
Wilson indicated that her decision to protest might mark the end of her professional disc golf career. “Today I most likely ended my career and that is okay because this is bigger than me.”
PDGA Policy on Transgender Athletes
The Professional Disc Golf Association’s regulations permit transgender women, assigned male at birth, to participate in the women’s category under specific conditions. These include undergoing continuous hormone therapy for a minimum of 24 months and maintaining defined testosterone levels, verified through blood tests. Gender-affirming surgery also qualifies athletes for eligibility, provided the same testosterone level requirements are met post-surgery.
Natalie Ryan and the Controversy
Natalie Ryan, the transgender athlete whose participation prompted Wilson’s protest, gained prominence in September 2022 after winning the women’s division at the Discraft Great Lakes Open. She achieved recognition as a top-five ranked female-classified disc golfer. Ryan publicly identifies as transgender, according to information on her Instagram profile.
The Music City Open represented Ryan’s return to competition following recovery from what she described as “very invasive surgery” in a recent social media post.
Past Security Threat at Music City Open
The 2024 Music City Open had previously faced disruption due to a terroristic threat directed at Ryan, as stated by the organizing body. “A call came into the event site stating there would be a threat of potential violence against a competitor at this weekend’s tournament,” the tour statement confirmed.