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Transgendered tennis player rejected from Dubai Special Olympics over safety concerns

by Tim Gibson

Tennis player, Zach Brookes, was rejected from the 2019 Dubai Special Olympics because he is transgendered. Posting an emotional video on YouTube he said “All my life I have been isolated for being transgender. Since I came out, I nearly quit the sport I was doing in case they didn’t accept my real gender identity.”

Zach, 22, is a level 2 coach and has been unbeaten since being allowed to face male opponents three years ago. He was nominated for the Positive Role Model Award at last year’s National Diversity Awards. He suffers from a form of autism and was competing for a chance to joining the Great Britain Olympic team in Dubai.

The GB Special Olympic Board gave several reasons as to why he wasn’t accepted. They didn’t know whether they could ensure his safety in Dubai as it is illegal to be transgender there, they were also unsure as to whether he would be disqualified because he takes testosterone supplements.

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