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As reported by the Cowboy State Daily, tennis official Jackie Fulkrod resigned in protest of the organization's decision to allow a transgender college athlete, Brooklyn Ross, to participate in the women's singles event at the Governor's Cup tournament, in Cheyenne.
Fulkrod explained: "I think a man playing against a woman is a very unfair matchup when it's specifically meant for women in that specific draw. I feel like having a transgender athlete compete in the women's draw is against my personal integrity and what I believe and value.
Wyoming Tennis official resigns to protest against a trans athlete
My decision to resign was solely based on the fact that we didn't have any way to protect our organization or protect our female athletes that are going to be playing in the tournament." Brooklyn Ross expressed on Fulkrod's decision: "I feel sad this woman has resigned over this.
I feel like there's no reason to." Peg Connor, executive director and district league coordinator for the United States Tennis Association's Wyoming chapter, told, as reported by Fox News: "Tennis thrives when the sport embraces inclusion.
For that reason, tennis is open to all regardless of one's age, ethnicity , race, religious background, gender orientation or gender identity. The USTA's policy on transgender inclusion, using both the International Olympic Committee and International Tennis Federation policies as guideposts, was updated in 2016 and has been in place since that time to help ensure inclusive and fair competition for all.
The USTA's transgender inclusion policy states that trans athletes can compete in the women's category if they have "declared that her gender identity is female" and that "the declaration cannot be changed, for sporting purposes, for a minimum of four years."