Disc Golfer Walks Out of Competition Over Transgender Opponent: ‘It’s Essential to Protect Women’s Sports’

A video featuring disc golfer Abigail Wilson went viral last Friday after she refused to compete against a transgender opponent. This bold move caught the attention of women’s sports rights advocates who praised her stance.

Just a few days earlier, women’s fencer Stephanie Turner made headlines by also declining to face a transgender athlete during a competition in Maryland, raising discussion about inclusion and fairness in women’s sports.

At the MVP Music City Open in Nashville, Wilson was called to compete but stopped short at the tee box. Instead of throwing the disc, she turned to the crowd, saying, “Females must be protected in our division! This is unfair. I refuse to play!” She then walked away, signaling her protest.

Later, she shared her experience on Instagram, stating, "Today I refused to play at the Music City Open. Females deserve to have their gender-protected division." She emphasized that her hard work and dedication came second to standing up for fairness in sports, particularly for future female athletes.

Wilson also mentioned feeling anxious about competing against Natalie Ryan, the trans athlete in question. She had concerns about safety due to reported threats from the previous year’s event. Wilson expressed her fears after a conversation with Disc Golf Pro Tour staff, who assured her there would be security. However, upon arrival, she saw no visible presence of security or police.

In a heartfelt message, Wilson reflected on the possibility that her stance might jeopardize her career, saying, "Today I most likely ended my career, and that is okay because this is bigger than me."

The Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA) states that transgender athletes assigned male at birth can compete in women’s divisions after 24 months of hormone therapy and meeting specific testosterone levels. Ryan, who captured attention at the Discraft Great Lakes Open in September 2022 and is ranked among the top female disc golfers, identifies as transgender on her social media.

The Music City Open also faced controversy earlier this year over a reported threat aimed at Ryan, leading to heightened security concerns.

This ongoing debate reflects a larger conversation happening in sports today about gender identity and fairness. According to a recent survey by the Pew Research Center, nearly two-thirds of Americans think that sports should have separate categories for trans athletes, indicating that opinions on this matter are deeply divided.

As the discussions in women’s sports evolve, Wilson’s protest adds a significant chapter to the ongoing conversation about inclusion, identity, and the future of athletics. For reference, you can learn more about policies on transgender athletes in sports from the Women’s Sports Foundation.

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Sports,lgbtqia+,transgender,transgender athletes,women's rights