Who is Brooklyn Ross? Trans player in Wyoming Governor's Cup sparks resignation of Cheyenne Tennis Association’s president
CHEYENNE, WYOMING: The participation of transgender athlete Brooklyn Ross in the women's singles category of Wyoming's Governor's Cup has ignited a fierce debate, leading to the resignation of Cheyenne Tennis Association President, Jackie Fulkrod. The decision to allow Ross to compete against women has raised questions about fairness and the integrity of women's sports.
Fulkrod, who resigned in protest, expressed her concerns about the match-up between a transgender woman and female players. "I think a man playing against a woman is a very unfair matchup when it's specifically meant for women in that specific draw," she stated to Cowboy State Daily. Fulkrod's decision to step down was based on her personal values and her desire to protect female athletes' interests within the association.
Who is Brooklyn Ross?
Ross, a 27-year-old tennis player from Colorado, transitioned six years ago and has been competing in women's college tournaments since 2019. She recently completed a successful tennis season with The University of Texas at Tyler. Despite her previous participation in women's competitions without any backlash, her entry into the Wyoming Governor's Cup has now drawn widespread attention and criticism.
In response to the controversy, Ross expressed, "It's always been positive and good. I feel sad this woman has resigned over this." Fulkrod, whose mother also stepped down from the association's board due to Ross' involvement in the upcoming Governor's Cup, upheld her choice to resign. "I feel like having a transgender athlete compete in the women's draw is against my personal integrity and what I believe and value. My decision to resign was solely based on the fact that we didn't have any way to protect our organization or protect our female athletes that are going to be playing in the tournament," Fulkrod added.
'I just think that's so wrong!'
The concerns surrounding Ross' use of female bathrooms at one of the tournament venues were also raised. "There would be other biological females using the facility at the same time, and I just think that's so wrong," she said. However, Ross believes her participation can help educate people and provide real-life examples of transgender individuals in sports. "They probably haven't had the experience of any trans woman being able to play, and I'm glad to be able to be able to kind of stand up for some of those people without a voice. Kids that have to choose between their authenticity and playing a game. This is an opportunity for them to be able to come see a trans woman competing and see a real example, not a hypothetical or theoretical," Ross said.
The Wyoming Governor's Cup tournament falls under the purview of the United States Tennis Association (USTA). When approached about the decision to allow Ross to compete in the women's singles category, Peg Connor, the tournament director and executive director of the Wyoming Tennis Association, referred to the USTA's transgender policy. "Tennis thrives when the sport embraces inclusion," the USTA says in its statement on transgender athletes. "For that reason, tennis is open to all regardless of one's age, ethnicity, race, religious background, sexual orientation or gender identity."
