Calls for the World Surf League to cancel its 2025 Championship Tour event in Abu Dhabi are mounting, spotlighting the risks faced by LGBTQIA+ athletes in regions where homosexuality is criminalized.
The selection of a surf event in the UAE, where homosexuality is illegal, raises significant concerns over athlete safety and the ongoing discrimination against LGBTQIA+ individuals.
This situation places Tyler Wright, the sole openly queer athlete on the tour, under immense pressure, questioning whether she should hide her identity to participate.
The history of queer representation in surfing is fraught; athletes like Jodie Cooper faced sponsor dropouts upon coming out, contributing to a culture of silence.
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