U.S. News
Transgender Tennis Player’s Entry in Wyoming Tournament Sparks Resignation
By Jake Beardslee · August 4, 2023
In brief…
- The president of Cheyenne Tennis Association resigned over a transgender athlete's participation in the women's division in an tournament starting this weekend.
- The ex-president believes transgender participation is unfair to women players.
- Transgender athlete Brooklyn Ross transitioned six years ago.
- The USTA allows transgender women to compete if they have identified as female for at least four years and taken appropriate hormonal therapy.
- The Cheyenne Tennis Association policies are consistent with those of the USTA.
The president of the Cheyenne Tennis Association board resigned in protest when the organization allowed Brooklyn Ross, a 27-year-old transgender athlete, to compete in the women’s open division of the upcoming Wyoming Governor’s Cup tennis tournament.
Departed president Jackie Fulkrod told Cowboy State Daily, “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 said allowing a transgender woman to compete is “a very unfair matchup” against female players.
Ross will compete in the tournament’s women’s open singles division this weekend. She recently finished competing on an NCAA Division II women’s tennis team in Texas after transitioning six years ago. Ross said there has never been controversy about playing in tournaments before, calling it “always positive and good.”
The tournament’s polices consistent with those set by the United States Tennis Association that allow transgender women to compete if they have identified as female for at least four years and taken appropriate hormonal therapy.
Fulkrod resigned because, she said, the organization does not have a way to protect female athletes who compete in tournaments. She believes most board members agree with her but will not speak out.
Fulkrod’s decision is supported by a number of Wyoming lawmakers, including Senator Anthony Bouchard and Representative Jeanette Ward. Yet many other Wyomingians oppose Fulkrod, such as Cheyenne resident Wendy Volk, who helped sponsor the tournament after other sponsors dropped out in protest. “I think tennis is for everyone,” Volk said.
In Fulkrod’s view, “When you make an adult decision, you have adult consequences.” She believes biological differences give transgender women an unfair advantage over female players. The controversy continues as the tournament begins this weekend.