More female athletes are speaking out against the impact of transgender ideology on women’s sports, and an increasing number are refusing to compete against biological males in female divisions. The controversy continues to grow as high-profile athletes take public stands, signaling what many are calling a turning point in the fight to preserve fair competition in women’s athletics.
Earlier this week, 31-year-old women’s fencing athlete Stephanie Turner made national headlines when she took a knee rather than compete against a biological male identifying as female. Her symbolic protest quickly spread across social media, drawing praise from those who support protecting single-sex competition in women’s sports. Just days later, another female athlete followed suit, this time in the sport of disc golf.
During the Disc Golf Pro Tour’s Music City Open in Nashville, Tennessee, professional disc golfer Abigail Wilson chose to walk off the course rather than compete against Natalie Ryan, a biological male athlete who identifies as a woman. Ryan previously made waves in 2022 after defeating the world’s top-ranked female disc golfer, Kristin Tattar, reigniting debate over transgender inclusion in professional sports.
Former NCAA swimmer and women’s sports advocate Riley Gaines shared video footage of Wilson’s act of protest, which quickly went viral. In the clip, Wilson appears to begin her throw but instead turns toward the crowd and declares, “Females must be protected in our division. This is unfair. I refuse to play.” Gaines captioned the video: “It’s catching fire!! Another woman who refuses to participate in the farce. Proof that courage begets courage. BOYcott!!!!”
Wilson later explained her decision to The Daily Wire, revealing the extent of pressure female players face from event organizers. After referring to Ryan with male pronouns, she said she was reprimanded by a tour official who warned her about potential penalties. “After I said the word ‘him,’ this Disc Golf staff member told me that if I misgender him again, I will be penalized and removed from the tour, and he’s going to pretend he didn’t hear me say that,” Wilson recounted.
Despite the risks, Wilson stood by her decision, acknowledging that it could cost her career. “I couldn’t keep putting my head down,” she said. “I like to say that I throw plastic at metal chains for a living, and it’s not worth any of this. We shouldn’t have to deal with this as women, as professionals.” She continued, “Today I most likely ended my career, and that is okay because this is bigger than me.”
In response to her protest, Disc Golf Pro Tour CEO Jeff Spring released a statement affirming that Wilson would not be penalized for withdrawing. “We encourage all players to do what they think is right,” Spring said. “Abigail is welcome to compete on the same playing field as all other players, and we wish her the best in her young career.”
As the stories of Abigail Wilson and Stephanie Turner circulate, they are fueling a broader conversation about the future of women’s sports. Many female athletes feel their hard-earned opportunities are at risk, and calls to establish separate categories or reconsider transgender inclusion policies are gaining momentum. Advocates argue that preserving sex-based competition is not about discrimination but about fairness, safety, and the integrity of women’s athletics.
Taking a stand in today’s polarized climate requires immense courage. With backlash often swift and unforgiving, athletes like Wilson and Turner are choosing principle over comfort, spotlighting what they view as the erasure of women in sports. As more athletes speak out, momentum appears to be building behind a movement to protect women’s sports from what some have labeled a dangerous ideological overreach.