A female disc golfer went viral after refusing to compete against a transgender contestant at the Music City Open in Nashville on April 4. Abigail Wilson, the player in question, was filmed stepping up to take her turn before pretending to throw her disc. She then voiced her concerns about the gender eligibility rules in the sport.
“Females must be protected in our division. This is unfair. I refuse to play,” Wilson shouted to the crowd before packing her things and leaving the event.
The incident stemmed from the inclusion of trans athlete Natalie Ryan in the competition. According to the Disc Golf Pro Tour (DGPT) gender eligibility criteria, trans women can compete in gender-based divisions if they’ve been undergoing hormone therapy for at least 24 months under medical supervision. In addition, trans athletes assigned male at birth must maintain a testosterone level below 2.0 nmol/L to compete. The average testosterone level for cisgender men is 8.7 to 29 nmol/L, while cisgender women’s levels are between 0.29-1.67 nmol/L.
Wilson later posted on Instagram, explaining her decision to protest. She shared that her career might be over as a result, but she believed standing up for women in sports was worth the sacrifice. “I have worked so hard to get to this point, but the sacrifice of my career is worth it if I can make a difference,” she wrote.
She also mentioned security concerns, citing last year’s threats and planned protests for this year. She claimed that the DGPT refused to accommodate her request for an earlier tee time, given her safety fears.
In response, the DGPT clarified its eligibility policy and security measures. They confirmed no rules were violated and emphasized that they had addressed Wilson’s security concerns ahead of the event, offering extra security at her tee time.