The president of a tennis association in Wyoming resigned in protest at the end of July after a transgender player was admitted into a women’s tournament.
Jackie Fulkrod, who served on the board and as president of the Cheyenne Tennis Association for two years, stepped down from her position after 27-year-old transgender player Brooklyn Ross was cleared to compete in the women’s open division of this weekend’s annual Wyoming Governor’s Cup tournament in Cheyanne, the Cowboy State Daily reported.
“I think a man playing against a woman is a very unfair matchup when it’s specifically meant for women in that specific draw,” Fulkrod told the outlet. “I feel like having a transgender athlete compete in the women’s draw is against my personal integrity and what I believe and value,” she continued.
A 27-year-old Colorado transgender tennis player competing in the women’s division of this weekend’s Wyoming Governor’s Cup has prompted the resignation of the Cheyenne Tennis Association board president.https://t.co/mpMBXPfDpa
— Cowboy State Daily (@daily_cowboy) August 2, 2023
Ross, who transitioned six years ago, just finished a season playing in the NCAA Division II at a college in Texas and will be competing in the women’s open singles division of the tournament, the outlet stated.
While Wyoming has recently passed legislation banning transgender athletes from competing in girls’ school sports, the new law does not affect eligibility requirements for the Governor’s Cup as it is not a school-sponsored event. “Because we’re a rec sport, there isn’t any protection for the women that would be playing in our tournament,” Fulkrod explained. (RELATED: ‘Who Allowed This To Happen’: Olympic Medalist Blasts Men Competing In Female Sports)
Fulkrod added that she believes other members of the board are upset by the decision to let Ross play, but are afraid to speak out due to possible backlash.
The United States Tennis Association (USTA) told the outlet it adheres to a policy followed by the International Olympic Committee and International Tennis Federation when determining a player’s eligibility. The policy regarding transgender athletes in women’s sports requires that the player has identified as female for at least four years and is undergoing hormonal therapy to “minimize gender-related advantages in sport competitions,” the outlet stated.
“Tennis thrives when the sport embraces inclusion. For that reason, tennis is open to all regardless of one’s age, ethnicity, race, religious background, sexual orientation or gender identity,” the USTA told Cowboy State Daily.
Ross, who is six feet tall and not considered one of the top contenders, expressed regret that Fulkrod felt the need to resign over the decision, urging naysayers to come to the Governor’s Cup and watch the competition. “I’m glad to be able to be able to kind of stand up for some of those people without a voice,” Ross told the outlet. “Kids that have to choose between their authenticity and playing a game.”