There is no sport more synonymous with freedom than surfing. You can fight me on this. Surfers harness the waves despite the unknown deep below, tapping into the human urge to go “weeeeee!” while somehow controlling our mortal fears. Sometimes, I can’t leave my bedroom – usually after hearing of another woman murdered by a man – while these legends don’t bat an eyelid at sharks.
You would think being a world #1 surfer might earn you enough respect that the World Surf League (WSL) would not subject you to potential imprisonment – or worse – to hold your title. But, if you’re same-sex attracted, that’s not guaranteed.
The WSL released its 2025 tour schedule in October 2024, with the Surf Abu Dhabi Pro scheduled for February 14-16. There is no maximum sentence or punishment for homosexuality in Abu Dhabi, but the minimum is 6 months in prison.
World #1 surfer Tyler Wright, who swims with a pride flag on her jersey and is married to a woman named Lilli, is testing the United Arab Emirates’ anti-gay laws by competing at Surf Abu Dhabi Pro. But should she have to?
The Australian-born powerhouse is not #145 in the world; she’s up there with the best. Are you only worshipped for being at the top of your field – with all your whims being met – if you’re a legendary man? Is the female competition still undervalued, like the old ‘girls can’t surf’ bull shit?
Naturally, Wright’s wife and family were scared. Her wife, Lilli, took to Instagram to voice her concerns:
“2 days ago @wsl released their 2025 tour schedule. Unfortunately homosexuality is illegal at one of the locations and my wife can legally be sentenced to death or imprisonment if she tries to attend. Tyler has competed on this tour for over 14 years and has had the pride flag on her jersey since 2020. Even after winning 2 world titles she is still not valued enough by the WSL to be considered when they sold this event. WSL have the duty of care to their athletes to not put them in potentially life threatening circumstances like this.
“It has been an upsetting journey educating myself on the legality and the history of LGBTQIA+ rights at this location and I doubt there is any “solution” I would feel comfortable with the love of my life competing there. I see how hard my wife works every day on her career and it’s unreasonable to expect her to just not go. Her life is worth more than 1 event but I can’t not acknowledge missing this event would put her career at a huge disadvantage over the next 3 years that this location will be used. Tyler’s queerness should not have to be a burden or an obstacle in her workplace.
“It’s important for me to add that I’m aware of my privilege as a white woman and am not here to promote racism or to tell people from a different country with different values how to run their own legal system. I do however believe it is a conversation where there is a country such as this that is putting a lot of money into being an international destination for professional sporting competitions especially when they have such strict laws on the LGBTQIA+ community. 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.”
Some members of the surfing community believed that forcing Wright to compete in such a dangerously homophobic place was a matter of ‘sportswashing’ Abu Dhabi. The WSL is being accused of making “a region with a deplorable stance on sexuality look somewhat more moderate; even open-minded enough to allow openly gay athletes to compete on their turf,” according to Tracks Mag.
“They certainly haven’t, as the law might suggest, told Tyler she can’t come, or to go home, or to jail. Abu Dhabi is busy reinventing itself as a major tourist location and the WSL and its broad-reaching webcast has been rolled in to help them do it. No doubt the WSL have been paid handsomely by the tourism bodies. They probably feel like they need the cash too. However, it’s arguable that by running an event they make Abu Dhabi seem more appealing and liberal, but don’t really encourage change in a fundamentally oppressive culture.”
Writer Luke Kennedy brings up a good point that speaks to a broader issue in the sporting world. This conversation has absolutely nothing to do with race and everything to do with protecting same-sex-attracted athletes. Wright is at the top of her game. She’s invested in defending her spot. She wouldn’t be going to Abu Dhabi if the WSL hadn’t booked a comp there. The competition would likely not be in Abu Dhabi if it weren’t for money.
I’d go as far as to argue that even if nothing happens to Wright – which I’m sure it won’t, for reasons Kennedy mentioned regarding Abu Dhabi’s tourism face-lift – she’s been put at a competitive disadvantage anyway. She’s supposed to get in the zone and perform to the best of her ability, defending her spot with the distraction of always looking over her shoulder. With the distraction of knowing what’s happening to other gay, bi and lesbian people in the UAE while she walks on its sand and sleeps in a heavily guarded resort.
There is an argument that tourism, including global sporting competitions, could ease the dangerously homophobic laws in Abu Dhabi. If Tyler is respected and kept safe, despite being married to a woman, is that hope for liberation among gay and lesbian people in Abu Dhabi, or proof money can be more important to people than beliefs weaponised to murder people?
The WSL and Tyler teamed up for a joint Instagram post, hinting they are focusing on potential opportunities of the surfer’s visit:
“I’ve been working with the appropriate teams in the UAE as well as the WSL and am assured that I will be competing in a welcoming and safe environment.
“Competing around the world has been my job for a long time. Over the years, I’ve seen the impact of the women’s tour and programs like WSL Rising Tides and how they have inspired a generation of women and many to come.
“Yesterday, I had the privilege of sharing the love of surfing with the WSL Rising Tides girls who had never surfed before. The abundant collective joy in that session was truly memorable.
“Sport has a beautiful and powerful way of fostering connection, community and representation. “If you can see it, you can be it.” That’s something that has remained important to me throughout my career.”
Fans and friends of Tyler Wright weren’t convinced.
User @mibatelli commented: “It’s mind blowing to me that the wsl would add the UAE to the tour knowing damn well that their laws hurt your existence and your wife’s. Being put in this position should not be “a part of the job”. I’m truly sorry and I’m glad you’re seeing the good side of it with rising tides and making sure you’re safe.”
User @surfingirish commented: “Is this pinkwashing? Hmmm? I often wonder if the WSL would make such a decision if the host country had a death penalty for, let’s say, all white men … of course they would not. That being said, you are an inspiring representative and a true pioneer pushing kindness and compassion wherever you go. We see your courage 🫶🏻 Nothing but love for you TW .. an absolute bucket!!!”
Any reasonable person wants long-term liberation for homosexuals in the UAE. But the question on everybody who’s talking about this issue’s lips is this: is it same-sex-attracted athletes’ responsibility to put themselves in danger, even if there might be positive outcomes of doing so?
Are sporting leagues really hosting competitions in Abu Dhabi because they want to make a difference for gay, bi and lesbian people there, or are they doing so because they’re getting a pretty penny while lining the pockets of an oppressive government?
Is the real story here that a world #1 surfer was sacrificed for cash? Are the potentially overestimated opportunities of her stay in the UAE merely smoke and mirrors?
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