Lana Lawless (right), a transgender woman who won the women's world championship in long-drive golf in 2008, is suing the LPGA because of a requirement that all competitors must be "female at birth."Lawless, a 57-year-old who had gender reassignment surgery in 2005, is claiming the rule violates California's civil rights laws.
Despite winning the long-drive championship in '08, Lawless was barred from competing this year because Long Drivers of America, which oversees the event, changed its policy to mirror that of the LPGA. Lawless wrote a letter in May asking for permission to apply for LPGA qualifying tournaments, but was told she would be turned down.
"It's an issue of access and opportunity," Lawless told the New York Times. "I've been shut out because of prejudice."
"I am, in all respects, legally and physically female," Lawless also said in a statement. "The state of California recognizes me as such, and the LPGA should not be permitted to come into California and blatantly violate my rights. I just want to have the same opportunity to play professional golf as any other woman."
Lawless, a retired police officer, is seeking to prevent the LPGA from holding events in California until the policy is changed, as well as an unspecified amount in damages.
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