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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. 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.”

He* Trans isn’t real

What I’m saying is that it’s going to take a very long time for it to go back up to the level it was before last Wednesday. And maybe it won’t for the forseeable future. If anything it’s likely to go down more. I certainly hope these “deals” come to fruition. But keep in mind even if they do they’re simply a face saving mechanism which would allow Trump to reverse himself. Most of these nations aren’t offering anything that they didn’t already give us. For example Israel had no tariffs on us, and Vietnam offered to remove all tariffs long before last week (see the Trans Pacific Partnership- we could have had a tariff free zone in the Pacific Rim that would have threatened China- Trump killed it during his first term- called it the worst deal ever. Nothing he negotiated now with Vietnam, Japan or South Korea will be as good as that deal would have been.)

A transgender athlete took home first place in a varsity high jump competition at an Oregon high school meet Wednesday, roughly two years after finishing last while competing against junior varsity boys, according to a report. Lia Rose, who reportedly used to compete as Zachary, won the high jump at the Portland Interscholastic League Varsity Relays with a height of 4 feet, 8 inches, beating the second-place finisher by two inches. According to athletic.net, while competing against JV boys May 3, 2023, Zachary Rose finished 11th out of 11 competitors with a jump of 4 feet, 6 inches. The winning height in that meet was another foot higher. According to online records, Zachary Rose competed in the boys’ category in 2023. The following year, Lia Rose also competed in the same category. But this year, Lia Rose was listed as competing in the girls category IT'S A MAN, BABY!!!! https://nypost.com/2025/04/05/us-news/trans-track-athlete-wins-varsity-girls-competition-after-previously-placing-last-against-jv-boys-report/

Idaho expands ban on trans-identity men in woman’s spaces. Indeed Genesis 3:15. And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed, it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. Indeed Amen Thanks

Which non-existent policy position was she right about? Paying for trans surgeries for inmates? Grocery Czar?

Wow, that was a great read. Just shows you how evil the pro-Trans crowd is. That this is happening is un-f'n'-believable. We really need to stomp this trans BS out entirely. Title X shouldn't be offering them protections to join women's sports. You are what your chromosomes/sex organs say you are, not what you "identify" as. That is 100% undeniable and irrefutable. Since the ludicrous left has pushed this issue, it's time to make that into Federal law. No more catering to the mentally-ill trannies.

Marjorie Taylor Greene frames trans ideology as Spiritual warfare. Everything is Spiritual warfare. Indeed John 5:29. And shall come forth, they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life, and they that have done evil unto the resurrection of damnation. Indeed Amen Thanks

USDA freezes federal funds to Maine schools amid trans sports battle. Psalm 3:8. Salvation belongs until the Lord, thy blessings is upon thy people. Selah. Indeed Amen Thanks

Trumps ban on trans troops halted after appeals court refuses to delay pause. 2 Thessalonians 1:7. And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels. Indeed Amen Thanks

This is how we know you are absolutely full of sh1t. I know plenty of trans women. And none of them use Grindr. They don’t see themselves as phags. They also don’t think they should be playing in girls sports. Everyone one of them.

I don't hate all trans people. Your turn. Why so you say you oppose men in women's sports, then provide a link which supports men in women's sports?

More deflection. Can you not hate 99 percent of trans people for the actions and behaviors of the other 1 percent? Yes or focking no?

I've already said I don't think biological men belong in women's sports. These people respresent fewer than 1 percent of trans people. Are you capable of not demonizing the other 99 percent? I've repeated this multiple times, and the pivot goes right back to biological men in women's sports, which I said multiple times that I oppose. Let's focus on the 99 percent who don't. You still hate them?

Men in women’s sports is a gateway drug to full trans ideology. If you don’t know that, you’re a bigger idiot than everyone here thinks you are.

Rusty is a simple-minded Leftie, getting his info from Tumblr, who thinks that if you oppose men in women's sports, or oppose medically transing children, that you hate all trans people. It's a common trait of the Left.

What in my history of posting makes you think that I hate all trans people?

Are you capable of not hating trans people who have no desire to compete as the opposite gender? I'm fine with keeping biological men out of women's sports.

I wouldn't say it if it weren't true. You know any trans people?

A few things. Speaking of preheld convictions: what do you think are the preheld convictions of doctors who get into the gender care business? I thought so. Those are the ones supporting surgical and hormonal mutilation of children. The vast majority of doctors just defer to them, because that's what doctors do. Two, it's difficult to prove the lack of existence of something. To my knowledge, most trans child "care" is based on a Scandinavian study (never since replicated) which showed improvement for trans kids after surgery. Problem was, that was a very carefully culled cohort. But based on it, European countries decided that medical intervention was the call for a lot more folks. US followed suit. The European countries have since realized that this was a grievous error, and to a one have backed off on such policies. The US has not reached this obvious conclusion yet, hence why we are having this seemingly idiotic conversation. Three, it is possible to hold multiple views which are not contradictory, all of which I've stated before: 1. There are true trans people, and people with gender dysphoria. We should help those people to the best of our abilities. 2. Such help should not default to medical intervention. That should only be a last resort and after years of counseling/therapy. 3. There is a social contagion going on with young people in our society, particularly with confused girls going through puberty, who take testosterone and, shockingly, feel more assertive and confident. 4. Until we get #3 under control, we should full stop end medical interventions for children. Europe has figured this out, we haven't, and you will find yourself on the wrong side of history.

Evangelical teacher suspended for not using trans pronouns to have 43k taken from account, court order. Wicked. 1 Peter 5:7. Casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you. Indeed AmenThanks

Pause a moment and think about who you are responding to. A guy that thinks California is keeping Florida afloat. Even though.they are the most broke state in the nation with $500+ billion in debt and still begging for federal funding for shlt like "trans gender studies".

You guys must really not think very highly of women’s athleticism. A dude going into the WNBA would have to be pretty good even as a male to make it in the WNBA. Probably like NCAA D2 level IMO. Has there ever even been any trans women in NCAA basketball, particularly D1? Doing a quick search I can’t find any, although there have been trans men that played on women’s teams before taking testosterone.

I mean at this point it is really simple. Either they do not allow Trans golfers or the entire field should withdraw and they should do that every time the trans golfer is allowed to play against women.

I'm not shocked that you have that in your rotation. Perhaps you and @Tebok should hang out, he likes Trans Rock to.