Meet disc golfer Abigail Wilson, who refused to play against transgender opponent Natalie Ryan: the tile mason and van life advocate just made a stand at the sport’s Music City Open in Nashville

Apr 8 , 2025

Abigail Wilson is protesting against transgender athletes in women’s sports. Photo: @abiygritte/Instagram

The disc golfer’s public stand comes hot on the heels of USA Fencing’s disqualification of a contestant who refused to compete against a trans woman

American disc golf athlete Abigail Wilson is taking a stand against trans players in women’s sports.

Last week, at the 2025 MVP Music City Open in Nashville, Tennessee, Wilson walked up to the tee box and began her throw before abruptly stopping, saying she refused to compete against transgender athlete Natalie Ryan, per the New York Post. “Females must be protected in our division!” she reportedly shouted before adding: “This is unfair. I refuse to play!”

Later that day, Wilson said on Instagram she was anxious to compete against “biological males” due to the threats of terrorism at last year’s event, which Ryan was on the receiving end of, leading to the event being halted temporarily.

Wilson claimed in her post that there were “zero security precautions” in place this year, which the Disc Golf Pro Tour (DGPT) – which sanctions the event alongside the Professional Disc Golf Association – denied. In a follow-up post, Wilson confirmed she had not received monetary compensation for her protest, emphasising, “It’s not about money, it’s about sending a message”.

Wilson’s boycott comes days after USA Fencing disqualified Stephanie Turner for refusing to compete against an eligible fencer, Redmond Sullivan, a trans woman, at Maryland’s Cherry Blossom Open, per Fox News Digital.

So, what else do we know about Abigail Wilson?

She’s not just a disc golfer

Abigail Wilson enjoys skateboarding too. Photo: @abiygritte/Instagram