The U.K. Mini Series pool championships were mired in controversy due to the participation of transgender competitors Harriet Haynes and Lucy Smith, who are biological males. Despite criticism, both Haynes and Smith progressed through the tournament, with Haynes reaching the final against Welsh woman Kirsty-Lee Davies. Haynes initially took a commanding lead in the final, but Davies staged a remarkable comeback, eventually winning the championship. The Women’s Rights Network praised Davies for her victory and criticized the pool authorities for allowing transgender athletes to compete in the women’s category.
The rules of the English Pool Association and World Eightball Pool Federation state that transgender athletes are allowed to participate without restriction. However, the bylaws of the EPA have been under review since December 2023. In August 2023, the WEPF announced updated guidelines that initially restricted transgender participation to those who were “born female.” However, the following October, the WEPF reversed this decision, allowing transgender athletes to compete if they had identified as female for a minimum of four years and provided proof of reduced testosterone levels. The debate over transgender inclusion in sports has become a prominent issue globally and is a topic of discussion in the 2024 U.S. presidential election.
In a survey conducted by NORC at the University of Chicago, respondents were asked about allowing trans athletes to compete based on their preferred gender identity, with 65% opposing the idea. Former President Trump and his wife Melania have spoken out against allowing biological men in women’s sports, with Trump campaigning against transgender inclusion. In contrast, the Biden-Harris administration has taken steps to enable transgender inclusion, issuing a rule clarifying Title IX protections to cover gender identity. However, experts have argued that this rule could lead to more biological men participating in women’s sports, sparking controversy and legal challenges.
The Biden administration faced opposition from Republican attorneys general, who sued to block the Title IX changes related to transgender discrimination. The Supreme Court voted to reject a Biden emergency request regarding the enforcement of portions of the rule. Despite the administration’s insistence that the rule does not address athletic eligibility, concerns have been raised about the potential impact on women’s sports. The issue of transgender inclusion in athletics remains a divisive and highly debated topic, with various stakeholders presenting differing perspectives on the matter.
