Deta Hedman forfeits darts Open in protest at competing against trans-identifying male

[ArabellaScott]

https://reduxx.info/breaking-female-darts-star-forfeits-denmark-open-match-against-trans-identified-male-in-protest-of-his-inclusion-in-the-womens-category/

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/othersport/1895714/darts-deta-hedman-noa-lynn-van-leuven

Applause for Deta's bravery and honesty.

'Darts player Deta Hedman has pulled out of her Denmark Open quarter-final against transgender competitor Noa-Lynn van Leuven. Hedman has been a vocal critic of rules allowing transgender women to compete in women's tournaments and chose to forfeit Saturday's match.'

Deta is the third woman to drop out of playing van Leuven in protest.

It's tragic that she's had to do this, but brave of her, as well. As she's the third to do so, will the penny drop for the darts authorities? I'd like to think that it'll give them pause for thought, at least.

Good for her but sad that she has had to miss out in this way. I do think it's the only way now in all sports - let the selfish men compete against each other.

Is anyone else impressed and slightly baffled that there's such a strong, consistent pushback from darts and pool that seems to be gaining momentum?

Why here and not athletics, cycling, swimming etc.?

“Sport strips away personality, letting the white bone of character shine through. Sport gives players an opportunity to know and test themselves.” Rita Mae Brown

Everytime the PDC tweet about van leuven they turn off the replies - obviously they get ratioed to fuck in the quotes.They absolutely know

Excellent.

I don't know, but I'm wondering if the ages involved are relevant? Darts and pool seem to be older demographic, whereas those other sports seem younger.

It may also partly be the class demographic. Darts and pool are typically more working class competitors I think? From what I’ve seen working class or lower income demographics have been more likely to call this out.

Well done to Deta Hedman and the other two female competitors who’ve displayed the kind of integrity sadly lacking in sports’ governing bodies. It’s dreadful they have to miss out on the opportunities they’ve earned as talented female players because the PDC are too craven to support fairness.

I know nothing about darts - did the other women who forfeited rather than play against a male do so in the same competition? It would be really newsworthy (hopefully) if all the other females to come up against van Leuven in this competition did the same. Meaning he would progress to the final without throwing a dart.

Worthy winner indeed. How would the fuckwits in PDC spin that?

Deta has faced a lot of abusive from the darts world for this stance! People saying what difference is there between the sexes for darts!!

That why men's and women's had different throwing distances!

The PDC and WDF need to sort this out. Several of Van leuven female national team mates have stopped playing in the team. So by Van leuven playing she's stopping other women from doing this.

Deta is 64years old and a woman of colour who has probably faced a lot of racism and misogyny through her life.

I was wondering if age played into it, but also the others are often team sports and it is very hard to stand against the ideology in a team sport if not everyone wants that kind of attention.

'As previously reported by Reduxx, two female darts players from the Netherlands dropped out of the Dutch Women’s Team in response to Van Leuven’s inclusion.
Aileen de Graaf and Anca Zijlstra sent shockwaves through the sport after they both announced their departure in March, with the women no longer wanting to form a team with Noa-Lynn Van Leuven.
Zijlstra issued a statement revealing she would be stepping back after Van Leuven dominated the Women’s Series tournament on March 23, beating Zijlstra 4-0 and seizing the Series Title 2 from Ireland’s Katie Sheldon in the final round.'

Journalist Phill Barrs tried to claim Deta had forfeited due to illness:

'So some context from Denmark. Deta didn’t refuse to play Noa, she informed the control desk and tournament organisers she’s was in ill and in pain was so unable to play. So this way would still pick up ranking points by not refusing to play because of who the opponent was'

Deta set him straight:

'No fake illness I said I wouldn't play a man in a ladies event . Don't listen to@phillbarrs he knows sweet fa, nor does his reliable source .'

He called her 'transphobic':

'Having the debate around Trans athletes in Women’s sport is one thing. But this comment calling a trans woman a man is simply transphobic and should be addressed by the sporting authorities as there should be no place for it.'

The subsequent ratio is satisfying.

https://twitter.com/phillbarrs/status/1787003911796121865

Good on her. Brave decision but a terrible shame she had to do this. Why are women stating biological fact always called transphobic? Doesn't Phill Barrs understand that to be a transwoman in the first place, one must be a man?

Why are women stating biological fact always called transphobic?

Because they are refusing to comply. Service robots failing to properly serve their masters must be punished.

It's such a shame these women have to pull out to make their point, it should never have got to the stage that women felt this was the only way they would be listened to. Nothing else has worked though so if pulling out and showing this for what it is is the only way to get these men out of women's sports then so be it.

These men can't just pretend that they won fair and square if the competition keeps pulling out rather than be forced to compete against men.

I feel so much for her. As a woman of colour she will have had a fight in her hands throughout her career, and now she’s has had to make a stand again, fighting this nonesense.

For Deta

I also read she's been involved with women's darts for five decades. Fifty years fighting for opportunities and recognition for the women's game, only to face this.

In the mail. The comments are stonking.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/darts/article-13387345/Im-not-playing-man-womens-event-Female-darts-star-FORFEITS-tournament-refuses-face-transgender-player-calls-ban-won-two-womens-titles.html

Thanks @ArabellaScott for the links to the PhillBarrs Twitter thread - the responses are informed, punchy and varied. Its not one argument about women in darts and not being able to say man when debating, its many arguments. Loved these graphics and in particular this one.

If Phillbars (journalist) is claiming in linked in to be a social media expert and darts lover perhaps he needs a new job. Darts lovers are clearly ready to speak up and not fearful of being called transphobic for protecting women's sports.

What an incredible woman. ❤️

I saw a short film a while ago where she talked about racism and sexism in darts from when she first started playing, she's been through a lot to get where she is. She's an amazing strong woman, and hats off to her for calling out the lie.

https://www.skysports.com/watch/video/sports/darts/12729838/deta-hedmans-experiences-of-racism-in-darts

Another thread about this yesterday.

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/5069807-to-think-sportswomen-shouldnt-have-to-forfeit-competitions-because-male-fckers-are-stealing-their-places

97% support for Deta and all sports women. This nonsense must stop

“It doesn’t put me off – it just makes me stronger,” she said. “I just carry on and show I am better.”

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2019/jan/10/it-has-always-been-there-darts-star-deta-hedman-reveals-racist-abuse

Well, if one good thing has come out of this, I now know who Deta Hedman is and can admire her achievements!