Disc Golf Pro Tour event receives threat of violence as trans athlete participates
https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/golf/disc-golf-pro-tour-event-receives-threat-of-violence-as-trans-athlete-participates/ar-AA1nt0GH?ocid=windirect&cvid=b0f2fd82465e4e45b8db6eeb20f39277&ei=23
Story by Karleigh Webb (22 April 2024)
This weekend's Disc Golf Pro Tour event in Nashville, Tenn., the Music City Open, saw play suspended for nearly two hours during second-round play Saturday while Nashville police investigated a threat against the event.
A statement from the DGPT said that a call came into the site of the event that stated there would be "a threat of potential violence against a competitor at this weekend's tournament."
The second round was completed but with a higher level of security on the grounds. Among those who received additional security was Natalie Ryan, a transgender woman who is a tour regular who fought a year-long legal battle over her eligibility to compete.
Ryan later confirmed via Instagram that she was one of those threatened along with the entire tournament.
"I've dealt with threats to myself through my career, but today was different. Today someone called in a threat of violence against myself and potentially the other players, staff, and spectators," she said.
"This threat is a perfect example of what happens when extreme views are tolerated in a community. Tolerating and including folks with extreme views, like today's caller, breed these threats. Continuing to use language that makes these people feel comfortable and valid will only make our situation worse."