A video showing female disc golfer Abigail Wilson declined to compete against a transgender opponent on Friday, earning accolades from advocates for women’s sports rights.
This event follows reports from Fox News Digital where female fencer Stephanie Turner chose not to compete against transgender opponents in a competition in Maryland, raising global attention and backlash towards US fencing.
Wilson’s refusal occurred at the MVP Music City Open in Nashville, Tennessee, an event sanctioned by the Disc Golf Pro Tour and the Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA). When her name was called to compete, she approached the teebox, prepared to throw but did not release the disc. She then turned around to explain her reasoning.
“Women need to be safeguarded in our sport!” Wilson shouted to the audience. “This is unjust. I will not compete!”
Following this, Wilson collected her items and departed.
Later that day, she posted clips of the protest on Instagram.
“Today, I declined to participate in the Music City Open. Women deserve protection within the gender division. This is not fair. I’ve dedicated immense effort to reach this level to compete at DGPT,” she noted in her post.
“I took this stand today because I was apprehensive about competing against a trans player in public on the tour due to the anticipated protest this year and previous threats of violence at last year’s event. After discussions with the DGPT staff yesterday, I made it clear that I was unwilling to alter my tee time due to concerns for safety on the course.
“They assured me that the event would have bag checks, police presence, and security. However, upon arrival this morning, there was a lack of security or police. Unqualified individuals were allowed entry without any security measures.”
Wilson expressed concern that this decision could end her disc golf career.
“Today, it’s likely I’m concluding my career. This cause transcends my personal interests, so I’m okay with that.”
Fox News Digital reached out to Jeff Spring, the CEO and tour director of the Disc Golf Pro Tour, for his perspective.
The Professional Disc Golf Association’s regulations state that transgender individuals assigned male at birth can compete in the female category after undergoing continuous hormone therapy for a minimum of 24 months and sustaining specific testosterone levels verified by multiple blood tests. Alternative qualifications may include gender-affirming surgery and maintaining the same postoperative testosterone levels.
Natalie Ryan, a transgender contestant whose participation spurred Wilson’s protest, gained notoriety in September 2022 after winning the women’s division at Discraft’s Great Lakes Open, ranking among the top five disc golfers globally.
According to her Instagram, Ryan identifies openly as transgender.
Music City marked Ryan’s return to sport following her recovery from “a highly invasive surgery,” as she shared in a Thursday post.
During the 2024 Music City Open, the event faced suspension following a terrorist threat directed towards Ryan, as stated in an official release.
“We received a notice at the event site indicating a potential threat of violence against our participants during this weekend’s tournament,” the tour’s statement declared.
