In November 2023, Lynne Pinches went viral when she conceded the Women's Champion of Champions tournament to male opponent, Harriet (previously Chris) Haynes.
"That was the first time I've ever conceded a match — it's an extremely difficult thing to do," Pinches said. "I just thought, I don't think I can, hand on heart, carry on lying to myself and play in this game when I feel it's so unfair.”
The video of Pinches walking away from the table after being matched to play against Haynes includes raucous applause from a supportive crowd.
More recently, 51-year-old Pinches turned down a place on the Ultimate Pool Tour after the World Eightball Pool Federation (WEPF) and its promoters, Ultimate Pool Group, reversed a decision saying male players would not be able to play against "naturally-born women."
"I've never been offered a professional contract before, I've never played as well as this before. I feel l have fought hard for it," she said. "I'm absolutely gutted that I've dropped out, my heart wants to be on the Ultimate Pool Tour. I feel excluded even though I've self-excluded.”
Haynes is now suing the English Blackball Pool Federation (EBPF) for “discrimination,” after they announced the competitions formerly known as the Ladies’ and Men’s Tours would be replaced with a Female Tour and an Open Pool Tour, and that “only biologically born females would be eligible to compete in the Female Pool Tour.” The EBPF explain:
We made this decision in the interests of fairness, because we believe that people who have gone through male puberty have a competitive advantage over biological women.
I spoke with Lynne about her sport, why she won’t compete against men, and how she’s fighting back.
Donate to support Lynne’s case at crowdjustice.com.
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