Transgender Issues

A transgender disc golfer has been banned from the women’s division of the California tour after an 11th-hour court ruling.

Natalie Ryan filed a discrimination lawsuit in February protesting the sport’s governing body – the Professional Disc Golf Association – tightening its rules to the point where it would exclude her.

The new rule require a transgender women have had a medical transition during Tanner Stage Two or before turning 12 and also a low testosterone level.

On Thursday, Ryan – who has won two events during her career on the tour – was initially deemed eligible to play after US District Judge Troy L. Nunley issued a restraining order.

‘It appears there was an intentional act, the creation of a policy, that excludes individuals based on their protected status as transgender women,’ Nunley wrote in his decision. 

On Thursday, Ryan – who has won two events during her career on the tour – was initially deemed eligible to play after US District Judge Troy L. Nunley issued a restraining order 

Ryan went on to compete in the first round and finish in fifth place in the clubhouse at the OTB Open

‘The Court makes no determinations as to whether this is sufficient to actually establish intentional discrimination, but it raises serious questions,’ she added, according to OutSports.

Nunley determined that transition requirement in the criteria was unfair. Ryan went on to compete in the first round and finish in fifth place in the clubhouse at the OTB Open. 

But the tour filed in the Ninth Court of Appeals and won on Friday, with Ryan being removed from the tour.

‘It appears that the district court lacks diversity jurisdiction over the [Disc Golf Pro] Tour because Plaintiff and at least one member of the Tour are citizens of Virginia,’ the appeals court rules.

The Disc Golf Pro Tour, which runs the OTB Open, said that the ruling allows them to be clear on eligibility protocols.   

‘This order restores the DGPT’s ability to enforce its current policy on Gender Eligibility. The DGPT will follow the court’s ruling and enforce its Gender Eligibility Policy which will disallow Ms. Ryan from continuing competition in the OTB Open,’ they said in a statement.

Ryan made an impassioned plea for…