Transgender women banned from female pool competitions in UK

Transgender women have been banned from the female category of Ultimate Pool Group (UPG) after last week’s landmark UK Supreme Court ruling that the legal definition of a woman is based on biological s£x.

The professional body for 8-ball pool said it has amended its eligibility rules so that participation in its women’s events “are open only to biologically born women”.

The decision comes after protests were held at the final of the Ultimate Pool Women’s Pro Series Event earlier this month, which was competed between Harriet Haynes and Lucy Smith – two transgender women.

UPG said “recent developments have now made the position clear”, and that it “welcomes the clarity” brought by the Supreme Court judgment.

It also said that a report it commissioned had concluded that 8-ball pool “was a gender affected sport and that in cue sports female players have unique disadvantages compared to male players and that transgender women retain male advantages”.

The body said that an open category “will continue to be open to all regardless of s£x”.

“We respect that some people within the pool community may find the changes challenging” it added.

“As an organisation, we are committed to being empathetic to all members of our community and we expect all members of our community to reflect this.”