Tyler Wright’s family is not happy with the WSL. Photo: World Surf League
The family of Tyler Wright, the only openly gay athlete on the WSL Championship Tour, is upset over the release of the WSL’s 2025 schedule that includes Kelly Slater’s Abu Dhabi pool as the second stop.
According to a 2020 report by the U.S. State Department, same-sex sexual conduct in Abu Dhabi can result in a 14-year prison sentence. Although there’s no evidence of the death penalty ever being applied in such a case, theoretically speaking, capital punishment could be used according to Sharia-based federal law in the United Arab Emirates.
Tyler’s brother and former CT surfer, Mikey Wright, commented on the WSL’s Instagram, stating that the schedule should be “re-thought” and that the WSL have “no business putting on an event at a location where (his) sister can be sentenced by law with the death penalty.”
“So much for equality and equal rights, only when it’s convenient to WSL,” Mikey Wright continued. “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.”
After Mikey’s tirade, Tyler’s wife, Lilli Wright, also posted a scathing review of the schedule.
“WSL have the duty of care to their athletes to not put them in potentially life-threatening circumstances like this,” reads her Instagram caption. “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.”
“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,” she continued.
Notably, Keala Kennelly also joined the social media discourse, speaking out against the stop in Abu Dhabi.
While the full weight of the law can indeed levy harsh penalties for being gay in the UAE, research done by Dr. Ryan Centner, an assistant professor of urban geography at the London School of Economic and Political Science, who also is queer himself, says that the fear of homosexuality in the country is fueled by “anecdotal cases that are highlighted occasionally in the media and end up being circulated among expatriates.”
“I’ve never come across anything in the media that shows a large-scale action (against same-sex conduct) by the authorities,” said Centner.
Centner goes on to note that, in his research attending word-of-mouth, semi-clandestine gay events in the country, the freedom of openly expressing oneself as gay is a privilege that is disproportionately afforded to the wealthy and expatriate community (particularly in Dubai, according to his research).
But that doesn’t mean the LGBT community necessarily feels safe.
“There’s this constant sense of your hair standing on end and having to be cautious about who’s listening, who’s at the door, who’s invited, or what might be said and passed along, that could get us in trouble,” said Centner.
A UAE native and member of the local surf community who I spoke to told me that Wright would not encounter any problems should she go to Abu Dhabi for the CT stop.
“No one should have any issues provided everyone is respectful of appropriate conduct in public places, which is across the board for everyone regardless of sexual orientation,” said the UAE surfer, who requested anonymity for this story.
The UAE surfer went on to tell me that holding hands in public would not be an issue, nor would booking a hotel room as a same-sex couple.
“In many facets, it’s evident the UAE endeavors to create a culture of tolerance within the parameters of what they feel acceptable,” the surfer said. “They are balancing being a world-class progressive city, and the welcoming of different demographics that involves, whilst maintaining respect for their heritage.”
“The main things (to abide by) are really just no PDA and no disorderly or disturbing behavior like inebriation on streets,” the surfer continued.
The WSL has not yet responded to the social media comments or put out a statement about the Wright family’s concerns. But there is a long off-season ahead for this controversy to simmer. If Wright decides not to attend the event in protest, it could have a strong impact on the title race – not productive for any of the parties involved.
