The risk for LGBTQIA+ athletes like Tyler Wright at the WSL stop in Abu Dhabi environment / Surfing
In 2021 two-time World Champion Tyler Wright paddled out at the opening heat of the 2021 tour at the Maui Pro presented by ROXY wearing her updated jersey with both the Australian and the Progress Pride flag. The World Surf League stated “to proudly support Tyler in using her platform as a World Champion and a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community to express a message of inclusivity. We believe surfing is for everyone and are incredibly proud of our athletes.” The WSL’s support of a queer athlete was celebrated as a move toward broader acceptance. However, its choice of Abu Dhabi as a competition venue flies in the face of this progress.
By scheduling a competition in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates at the 2025 championship tour– a region where homosexuality is criminalized – the WSL risks undermining its own inclusive image and, more importantly, the security of its athletes, particularly those who are openly part of the LGBTQIA+ community. As of now Taylor is the only queer person on the Championship Tour.
Lilli Wright, Tyler Wright’s wife, expressed in an Instagram Post:”Unfortunately homosexuality is illegal in one of the locations and my wife can legally be sentenced to death or imprisonment if she tries to attend. Tyler has competed on the tour for 14 years and has had the pride flag on her jersey since 2020. Even after winning two world titles she is still not valued enough by the WSL to be considered when they sold the event. WSL have the duty of care to their athletes not out them in potentially life threatening circumstances like this”.
Tyler could not attend the event, which would give her a huge disadvantage on the tour for the next 3 years that the location is a stop. Also the WSL rulebook says that “all CT surfers must attend all CT Events which they qualify for”. So if Tyler doesn’t attend and has no doctor’s certificate she could be fined up to $25,000 and be suspended in the worst case. Tyler herself is also obliged by her contract and the rulebook to not criticize the WSL. So what are the choices for Tyler? Either attend and risk her life or not attend and risk her career. An athlete’s workplace should not create situations where their safety or identity is compromised. The safety of all athletes regardless of their identity should be the priority.
As a petition to remove Abu Dhabi from the tour schedule writes:” The United Nations Human Rights Council identifies denying equal access to sports based on sexual orientation or gender identity as a human rights violation. Yet, with the inclusion of Abu Dhabi on its tours, the World Surf League is supporting a location that disregards these rights, discriminating against LGBTQIA+ athletes.”
There are clear financial benefits to holding an event in Abu Dhabi. But it’s worth asking: at what cost?
The choice to prioritize profits over principles risks alienating the very community that the WSL claims to represent. This decision doesn’t just risk alienating LGBTQIA+ fans; it also challenges the trust that queer athletes, allies, and the broader surfing community have placed in the WSL as a platform committed to inclusivity and safety. Will organizations place profit above ethical considerations, or will they uphold their values consistently, even if it means walking away from lucrative opportunities?
By choosing Abu Dhabi, the WSL has highlighted a key question: is surfing for everyone, or just for everyone who fits comfortably within the venues and laws that serve financial interests? Inclusivity means creating safe spaces—not just on paper, but in practice. True inclusivity relies on allyship from all stakeholders, ensuring decisions are informed by empathy and a commitment to safety. For Tyler Wright and all queer surfers, it’s crucial that these values aren’t just a tagline but a real commitment, one that holds true no matter where the tour takes them.
