A transgender pool player has lost a discrimination claim against the English Blackball Pool Federation (EBPF) after it introduced rules barring those not born female from women's competitions. Professional player Harriet Haynes took the EBPF to court over the policy, arguing it amounted to direct discrimination on grounds of gender reassignment.
In a judgment published on Friday, the court dismissed her claim, ruling that exclusion was the only reasonable way to ensure fair competition. The decision is the first to apply the Supreme Court's April ruling that legally defines a woman as someone who is biologically female.
His Honour Judge Parker concluded that pool is a 'gender-affected activity' and that excluding those born male from the female category was necessary to secure fair competition. He said the claim 'could not survive' the Supreme Court's decision, and that there was no reasonable alternative to exclusion.
Ms Haynes's representatives said they were 'naturally disappointed' and are considering an appeal. The case follows the Football Association's decision to ban transgender women from women's football in England from next season, citing the Supreme Court judgment.
