Trans tennis player Brooklyn Ross, 27, sparks fury in Wyoming and tennis federation president steps down after being allowed to participate in Governor’s Cup tournament: ‘It’s a very unfair matchup’
- A trans player’s participation in a tournament in Wyoming sparked controversy
- The president of a tennis club resigned over the decision to let her play
The president of a Wyoming tennis association has resigned in protest of a decision to allow a trans female player to compete in the women’s singles category of the state’s Governor’s Cup.
Brooklyn Ross, 27, from Colorado has competed with women in college tournaments before and will compete in the Wyoming Governor’s Cup this weekend.
Cheyenne Tennis Association president Jackie Fulkrod resigned over the controversy, citing fairness and determination to protect the integrity of women’s sport.
“I think a man playing against a woman is a very unfair match if it’s specifically for women in that particular draw,” she said. told Cowboy State Daily.
Trans tennis player Brooklyn Ross, 27, from Colorado has previously competed with women in college tournaments and will compete in the Wyoming Governor’s Cup this weekend
Cheyenne Tennis Association president Jackie Fulkrod resigned over the decision to allow a trans female player to compete in the women’s singles category of the Wyoming Governor’s Cup
Ross transitioned six years ago and has been playing college tennis since 2019 – she recently completed a tennis season at a Texas college in the NCAA Division II – The University of Texas at Tyler.
She told Cowboy State Daily that this is the first backlash she has faced in her career.
“It’s always been positive and good,” she said of her participation in women’s competitions so far. “I’m sorry this woman has backed off about this.”
Fulkrod, whose mother also resigned from the association’s board due to Ross’ participation in the upcoming Governor’s Cup, defended her decision to step down.
“I feel it goes against my personal integrity and what I believe and value for a transgender athlete to enter the women’s draw.”
“My decision to step down was based solely on the fact that we had no way to protect our organization or our female athletes who will play in the tournament,” added Fulkrod.
She also expressed concern about Ross using women’s bathrooms at Cheyenne Central High School, one of the venues where the Governor’s Cup is held.
“There would be other biological females using the facility at the same time, and I just think that’s so wrong,” she told the publication.
Ross encouraged her critics to come and watch the game.
“They probably haven’t had the experience that a trans woman can play, and I’m glad I can stand up for some of those people without a voice,” she said. ‘Children who have to choose between their authenticity and playing a game.’
“This is an opportunity for them to see a trans woman participate and see a real example, not a hypothetical or theoretical one,” Ross said.
Ross recently completed a tennis season at a Texas college in the NCAA Division II
Ross encouraged her critics to come watch the game, saying she felt Fulkrod’s decision to resign was unnecessary
The tournament’s director, Peg Connor, who is also an executive director of the Wyoming Tennis Association, would not say who made the decision to allow Ross to participate.
The Governor’s Cup tournament is overseen by the United States Tennis Association.
When asked about the decision to allow Ross to compete with women, Connor Cowboy State Daily referred to the USTA’s transgender policy.
“Tennis thrives when the sport embraces inclusion,” the USTA says in its statement on transgender athletes. “Tennis is therefore open to everyone, regardless of age, ethnicity, race, religious background, sexual orientation or gender identity.”
Fulkrod has served on the board for nearly two years, claiming to the publication that she’s not the only person who feels strongly about Ross’ participation.