Staff Reports
Lynne Pinches, a pool player from England, made headlines when she refused to compete in a championship match against a transgender competitor. Pinches walked away from the game to protest the notion that men can simply identify as women and compete against biological females. On November 26, Pinches received an award and applause from her fellow players, who supported her stand for fair play in women’s sports.
Pool Player Lynne Pinches Gets Award After Refusing Championship Match Against Trans Competitor https://t.co/yyQIigEfJi
— lucky one USA. (@stewdude59) November 28, 2023
Pinches expressed her overwhelming gratitude for the support she received on social media. She emphasized that titles and money mean nothing without fairness. Pinches had earned her spot in the English Pool Association’s 2023 Champion of Champions Ladies tournament on November 12. However, when the association allowed a transgender individual to participate and compete against women, Pinches decided to take a stand.
A video of the moment captured Pinches and her opponent vying to see who would break. Pinches won and shook hands with her competitor, but then approached the tournament official and forfeited the match. As the crowd realized what was happening, they loudly cheered and applauded Pinches for walking away.
Pinches is not the only player who has taken this stance. Two other women also refused to play against men who identify as women. Their actions demonstrate the frustration many feel about the erasure of women’s sports.
The support for Pinches poured in via Twitter, with individuals praising her courage and calling her the true champion. Women’s rights activist Helen Staniland commended her for standing up, and Joelle Trieste noted that she did indeed win. Many were also encouraged to see that it was mostly men in the room supporting Pinches’ decision, signaling a shift in attitudes.
Olympic swimmer Sharron Davies expressed her frustration with sporting governing bodies and their lack of action on this issue. Despite the overwhelming public sentiment, these organizations have been hesitant to address the concerns surrounding fairness in women’s sports.
Lynne Pinches deserves praise for her refusal to participate in a match that would undermine the integrity of women’s sports. This is not about discrimination; it’s about preserving a level playing field for female athletes. The inclusion of transgender individuals in women’s sports creates an unfair advantage and diminishes the efforts of biological women who have trained and competed their entire lives. It’s time for sporting organizations to prioritize fairness and put an end to this misguided policy of allowing men to compete against women.
