Fans and family members of a world surfing champion have spoken out against a controversial decision from the World Surf League (WSL) to add Abu Dhabi as a location in the 2025 WSL tour, with concerns for the safety of LGBTQIA+ competitors.
In an official announcement posted online last week, the WSL shared the schedule for the Championship Tour 2025. The schedule included a dozen locations around the world where the world’s best surfers will compete for the Championship titles.
The announcement quickly became met with backlash over the inclusion of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) capital city of Abu Dhabi as one of the tour locations, due to the fact that homosexuality is still illegal in the UAE.
Under the Criminal Code of the UAE, same-sex relationships and intercourse are strictly prohibited, with the death penalty as a potential punishment.
Additionally, gender affirming care is outlawed, and there are no protections for people who may experience discrimination on the basis of sexuality or sexual identity.
Which means for two-time world champion Tyler Wright, to compete at the second tour location would directly put her life at risk as the WSL’s “only openly queer athlete”.
Wright has worn the pride flag on her jersey since 2020, and married her partner Lilli in 2022, and though she has not spoken out herself, her fans and family members have heavily criticised the WSL for this decision.
“Do better to keep your athletes safe. Supporting the LGBTQIA+ community is not something you can do only when it’s convenient for you,” one fan commented.
“Every athlete deserves to be welcome at every event you host.”
Wife of Tyler Wright speaks out
In an Instagram Post shared 48 hours after the WSL’s announcement, Lilli Wright condemned the surfing body for its 2025 championship schedule putting her wife’s life at risk.
“Even after winning two world titles she is still not valued enough by the WSL to be considered when they sold this event,” she wrote.
“WSL have the duty of care to their athletes to not put them in potentially life threatening circumstances like this.”
Lilli described the journey of learning about Abu Dhabi’s homophobic history as “upsetting”, and shared that she can’t picture ever feeling “comfortable” with her wife competing there.
However, for Tyler Wright not to compete would be damaging for her career and status as a two-time world champion.
The WSL Tour locations are secured every three years, so taking part is imperative for Wright to maintain her status on the world leaderboard.
“Tyler’s queerness should not have to be a burden or an obstacle in her workplace,” stated Lilli.
With acknowledgement of her privilege, the concerned partner shared she didn’t wish to spread racism toward a country with different values, but said there needs to be a conversation about why the UAE was chosen for this event.
“At the end of the day, WSL had absolutely no business selling this event to this location expecting their only openly queer athlete to go along quietly.”
As well as Lilli, other members of Tyler’s family commented on the WSL’s announcement post with calls for the body to consider her safety.
“This schedule should re thought, you have no business putting on an event at a location where my sister can be sentenced by law with the death penalty. So much for equality and equal rights, only when it’s convenient to WSL,” wrote Mikey Wright, Tyler’s brother.
“You have supported the LGBTQ flag on her shoulder but now you want to strip it and be hush hush to get her to a location that she’s at risk of this punishment.
“You have the responsibility to protect your athletes, interested to see how you think you can protect her against the law.”
PEDESTRIAN.TV reached out to the World Surfing League, but did not receive a response.
- If you’d like to talk about the issues raised in this story, you can call the QLife LGBTI peer support hotline on 1800 184 527 or chat online.
- QLife operates between 3pm and midnight daily.
- Under 25? You can reach Kids Helpline at 1800 55 1800 or chat online.
Lead Image: Getty/Instagram
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