HellToupee 1,572 Posted April 11 The UK Women’s Pool Championship Final was contested by two transgender players on Sunday, sparking furious protests and online backlash. The tournament was subject to protests and a social media storm after Harriet Haynes and Lucy Smith, who were both born biologically male, defeated a line up of female-born opponents to reach the final. The Ultimate Pool Women’s Pro Series Event 2, which took place in Wigan, saw protests hit the venue. Inside the venue, protestors shouted: “He’s a man and we stand with Lynne Pinches” — one of Britain’s top female pool players who turned down her first ever professional contract in February. Protestors inside the venue on Sunday held up signs saying “Save Women’s Sport” as Haynes walked past. Pinches said she did so because of her belief that transgender players have an unfair competitive advantage. She also said that she rejected a place on the Ultimate Pool Tour, which features the game’s top 32 players. Pinches said that an apparent u-turn by the sport’s governing body and main promoters regarding transgender policy was the “final nail in the coffin,” adding: “I was done then.” Haynes is no stranger to controversy as the issue of trans athletes in the world of pool continues to be subject to legal challenges and fierce debate. Last year, Irish billiards champion Kim O’Brien made headlines after she forfeited her place in the European Pool Championships final, refusing to play against her transgender competitor, Haynes. Lucy Smith meanwhile, Haynes’s transgender competitor, became the Women’s Pro Series Champion in September 2024. Comments underneath a photo of Smith holding the trophy, posted by Ultimate Pool, were disabled on social media after some social media users reacted angrily. In August 2023, the World Eightball Pool Federation (WEPF) and its promoters Ultimate Pool Group, made a decision not to allow transgender players to compete against “naturally born women,” however it later reversed that decision — saying they would adhere to the guidelines set by the International Olympic Committee and the World Professional Snooker and Billiards Association. The u-turn was protested by Pinches in November 2023, when she conceded the Women’s Champion of Champions tournament to opponent Harriet Haynes in Prestatyn. Pinches claimed on Monday that she had been told to leave Sunday’s event by Ultimate Pool. The English Pool Association (EPA) and WEPF currently allow transgender athletes to compete without restriction, as stated on the EPA website. However, the EPA’s bylaws on transgender athletes have been under review since December 2023. Last August, the English Blackball Pool Federation (EBPF) — which runs county level competitions in England — announced that they were banning transgender women from playing in their Ladies’ events, saying they wanted players to “enjoy a safer environment” and ensure “equality and fairness for all”. Haynes, who transitioned at the age of 23, was crowned champion on Sunday, winning the £1,800 prize money. Haynes, now 34, has taken a legal challenge against the move by EBPF, with the landmark case set to be heard next April. Speaking to the Independent in December, Haynes said of the court case: “I’ve never really considered myself a trailblazer. I’m just a woman who is trying to live my life, and all I want to do is just be treated the same as any other woman. “I work in an office environment and I’m treated like a woman every single day in the rest of my life. This is the only aspect of my life where I’m not.” Haynes has argued that Pool is “not a gender affected sport,” telling the newspaper: “We’re not talking about boxing or golf – we’re talking about pool.” Following Sunday’s final, former Olympic swimmer Sharron Davies slammed the final as “bloody ridiculous and grossly wrong in every way,” while broadcaster Piers Morgan labelled the event “preposterous.” Responding to the online controversy, Ultimate Pool released a statement on Monday. “Due to ongoing legal proceedings, Ultimate Pool is currently unable to comment on this specific matter. We hope that we are soon able to clarify our position publicly. “Ultimate Pool, since its inception, has been a champion for women’s pool, providing a platform for the best women’s players in the game to showcase their ability. In the four years since the inaugural women’s series, we’ve been proud to increase prize money, tournaments, broadcast coverage and to provide a social media platform that the game has never seen before.” The statement added: “In short: we love women’s pool. Therefore, we are determined to continue to try and do our best for the future of the game. We’d like to use this opportunity to congratulate Marrion Jude, Harriet Haynes, Kirsty Clugston and Louise Maher on their victories this weekend. “We understand the need for reasoned, sensible debate around this issue but we also dress that ultimate pool will not tolerate abuse of any of its hundreds of players on social media.” Lynne Pinches, meanwhile, issued a statement claiming that she was ordered to leave the event on Sunday, a development described by supporters of the 51-year-old veteran of the eight ball circuit as “disgraceful.” Former world number one tennis player Martina Navratilova sent her support to Pinches, writing in response: “Disgraceful. This is so effed up- our “left wing” politicians in these countries-US, UK, Australia, Canada and where ever else- need to wake up and start protecting women and our sex based spaces and they clearly need to protect our language. Compelled speech is not ok, ever!!!!” Pinches, who refuses to play pool professionally with transgender competitors, took to her platform to add: “This still upsets me that I am self excluded. The positive effect on sport becomes clear when you no loner play. I miss playing at the high level. I miss my friends. I just miss it.” Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
weepaws 3,143 Posted April 11 And you support this OP? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mike Honcho 5,065 Posted April 11 I didn't know Sheldon played pool, bazinga! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BufordT 425 Posted April 11 I would’ve thought pool/billiards was one sport where top females can compete with average males. Didn’t think it would be that easy for the trannies to win vs females. Shows what I know. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jerryskids 6,531 Posted April 11 3 hours ago, BufordT said: I would’ve thought pool/billiards was one sport where top females can compete with average males. Didn’t think it would be that easy for the trannies to win vs females. Shows what I know. There is definitely a strength, or maybe more a control/strength combo component. Certainly at top levels. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Strike 5,173 Posted April 11 8 minutes ago, jerryskids said: There is definitely a strength, or maybe more a control/strength combo component. Certainly at top levels. I think people underestimate how the physiological differences between the biological sexes impact games/sports where people wouldn't expect the advantage to be significant. I play a competitive game that most people wouldn't think those differences would matter but there's been exactly ONE female player who was competitive with the men at the top levels in the 40 years I've been involved in the game. To be fair, she was great but she's the exception to the rule. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Maximum Overkill 1,732 Posted April 11 It would be such a safer and happier place if they made Trannies illegal Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Strike 5,173 Posted April 11 32 minutes ago, Maximum Overkill said: It would be such a safer and happier place if they made Trannies illegal Can't we just give them their own Island or something? I hear Epstein isn't using his any more. Win Win. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Maximum Overkill 1,732 Posted April 11 Just now, Strike said: Can't we just give them their own Island or something? I hear Epstein isn't using his any more. Win Win. That's a great idea, and they'd love it. Let them be perverts there Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HellToupee 1,572 Posted April 11 49 minutes ago, Maximum Overkill said: It would be such a safer and happier place if they made Trannies illegal Just give them their own division in sports or games like pool Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Engorgeous George 2,100 Posted April 11 4 hours ago, BufordT said: I would’ve thought pool/billiards was one sport where top females can compete with average males. Didn’t think it would be that easy for the trannies to win vs females. Shows what I know. Men have been playng with bqalls all their lives. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
easilyscan 848 Posted April 11 1:02 - 1:09 "And compete under current 8 ball pool federation & environmental protection agency rules" EPA rules in pool ? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
iam90sbaby 2,462 Posted April 12 11 hours ago, BufordT said: I would’ve thought pool/billiards was one sport where top females can compete with average males. Didn’t think it would be that easy for the trannies to win vs females. Shows what I know. 8 hours ago, jerryskids said: There is definitely a strength, or maybe more a control/strength combo component. Certainly at top levels. Not a single woman in the top 50 in chess. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BufordT 425 Posted April 12 26 minutes ago, iam90sbaby said: Not a single woman in the top 50 in chess. Hmmm.. that girl in the Queen’s Gambit was pretty good. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tebok 267 Posted April 12 No one obsesses over trans folks like MAGA folks. TRANS DERANGEMENT SYNDROME ACTIVATED! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
iam90sbaby 2,462 Posted April 12 1 hour ago, BufordT said: Hmmm.. that girl in the Queen’s Gambit was pretty good. You mean that girl in that movie about a fictional character that never existed? lol 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
