'Take Back Title IX Tour' protests transgender athlete at US Women's Open golf tournament

Publish date: 2024-04-17

LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. (WHP) — The "Take Back Title IX" tour, a nationwide bus tour with female athletes and coaches from across the country, was rallying Friday in Pennsylvania against an athlete that had the potential to play in the U.S. Women’s Open.

Hailey Davidson, a transgender athlete, was selected as a first alternate for the U.S. Women’s Open, which is being held at the Lancaster Country Club.

Lancaster Pride president Tiffany Shirley said she give props to the PGA for supporting trans athletes.

Since the tour got underway on Thursday without the need for an alternate, Davidson isn’t competing at the Open. However, the Take Back Title IX tour gathered at Spooky Nook in Manheim to protest athletes like Davidson and defend Title IX.

Paula Scanlan, a speaker with the tour, was Lia Thomas’ teammate on the University of Pennsylvania swim team. Thomas is the first openly transgender athlete to win an NCAA Division I national championship.

I’m just gonna say it: men do not belong in women's sports and that's really what we're here for,” Scanlan said.

Hempfield High School graduate Liliana Williams said a trans teen joined her high school track and field team her senior year.

“My objections were not due to a lack of love for this boy, but rather due to the fundamental truth of biological differences and protecting the integrity and safety of female sports,” Williams said.

However, Shirley disagrees and said many organizations have guidelines for hormone levels in a trans athlete’s body. She said because of that, trans athletes should be able to play a sport as their authentic self.

Organizations who allow transgender athletes, they have rules and regulations and to make it fair for everybody around. I think, as long as those organizations are following those rules, I think transgender athletes should be able to participate,” Shirley said.

However, Scanlan said this takes away from women’s sports.

“This is so unfair for us women,” Scanlan said.

WHP reached out to Davidson for comment but did not hear back.

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