Transgender golfer sues to compete in LPGA

[Danno 1,228]

Transgender golfer sues LPGA in bid to join tour

Updated: Wednesday, 13 Oct 2010, 2:17 PM EDT

Published : Wednesday, 13 Oct 2010, 10:20 AM EDT

(NewsCore) - A former male SWAT team member filed a lawsuit in California against the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) after the now transgender woman was denied in her efforts to join the women's golf tour, her lawyer said Wednesday.

Lana Lawless, the 2008 Women's Long Drive Association (LDA) champion, claims in her lawsuit that her civil rights have been violated by the LPGA. The LPGA rules state that no one can play on tour unless she was born female.

The LPGA has rejected Lawless' applications to enter qualifying events. Lawless is legally female after undergoing a sex change operation.

Lawless is also suing the LDA, which holds driving distance competitions. Lawless claims the LDA changed its rules to prevent her from entering future events after she won in 2008.

“California’s civil rights laws prevent discrimination against all minorities, including transgender persons. The LPGA and LDA operate a number of high profile qualifying events and tournaments in California which are highly lucrative to their sponsors," said Lawless' attorney, Christopher Dolan, in a statement.

Dolan said the goal of the lawsuit is to force the LPGA and LDA to end their discriminatory practices in order to continue running tournaments in California.

“I have traveled a long road to get to where I am now, a place where I always belonged as a strong, proud, capable woman. I am, in all respects, legally, and physically female. 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 said.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

I saw a guy in a dress trying to buy tires at Walmart earlier today as I was passing by. Long blond wavy Farrah Fawcett hair, and nice shapely legs, but the baritone voice was a dead give-away, as was the Adams apple and the square jaw.

[Obama 2012 1,714]

this trans-gender thing is truly annoying.

If your DNA says A and not B, then you're A. Got it?

Your "brain" might be telling you one thing, but your DNA says another. Let's go off that or we're in a heap of trouble if we let everyone do what they want to do and call it discrimination because they 'feel' they are a certain way.

[Danno 1,228]

THe part of the story that seemed odd to me was, there was no addressing the most obvious aspect.

"WHY"

Why would a man in a womans golf shirt have an unfair advantage? (or not)

[VanessaTony 3,567]

THe part of the story that seemed odd to me was, there was no addressing the most obvious aspect.

"WHY"

Why would a man in a womans golf shirt have an unfair advantage? (or not)

Men are stronger. It's the only explanation I can find knowing nothing about golf... bigger drives perhaps?

It's a bit hard really. She can't compete in mens competitions because legally she's a woman, but she can't compete in womens because she's genetically a man. Not to mention if the mens would allow her because of genes, is she allowed to go as "she" or is she forced to dress like a man? and then she'd have to explain all the time that she's a man, rather than living her life as a woman like she wants...

I'm torn. I don't think it's fair to have a man compete in a woman's sport (caster semenya is a perfect example), but I also don't think it's fair to force her to be constantly reminded she's a man. Do they do genetic testing on all other competitors? Or is the fact they KNOW she's a man the only reason she's excluded? Then do we have to worry about "gene cheats"? Paying people off to run someone elses blood to ignore that she's a man?

Ugh. Can of worms.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

I saw a guy in a dress trying to buy tires at Walmart earlier today as I was passing by. Long blond wavy Farrah Fawcett hair, and nice shapely legs, but the baritone voice was a dead give-away, as was the Adams apple and the square jaw.

So you knew it was a guy and you still checked out his legs?

[Krikit 1,165]

Moving from P & R to Off Topic.

[Danno 1,228]

Men are stronger. It's the only explanation I can find knowing nothing about golf... bigger drives perhaps?

It's a bit hard really. She can't compete in mens competitions because legally she's a woman, but she can't compete in womens because she's genetically a man. Not to mention if the mens would allow her because of genes, is she allowed to go as "she" or is she forced to dress like a man? and then she'd have to explain all the time that she's a man, rather than living her life as a woman like she wants...

I'm torn. I don't think it's fair to have a man compete in a woman's sport (caster semenya is a perfect example), but I also don't think it's fair to force her to be constantly reminded she's a man. Do they do genetic testing on all other competitors? Or is the fact they KNOW she's a man the only reason she's excluded? Then do we have to worry about "gene cheats"? Paying people off to run someone elses blood to ignore that she's a man?

Ugh. Can of worms.

All things in life are not fair and while I hardly think this guy got a Sex change to play womans golf, I also realize life is full of compromises, when we move in one direction it excludes us from things had we gone in another.

If I recall correctly there was a runner from Africa that was disqualified at the Olympic games not long ago for similar issues, does anyone recall more clearly?

[thongd4me 69]

I can't wait to see Tim Curry get a "hole in one."

[The_Dude 1,142]

this trans-gender thing is truly annoying.

If your DNA says A and not B, then you're A. Got it?

Your "brain" might be telling you one thing, but your DNA says another. Let's go off that or we're in a heap of trouble if we let everyone do what they want to do and call it discrimination because they 'feel' they are a certain way.

Hmmmmmm, seems quite hypocritical of you Paul. You seem to promote a very pro-choice, anti government regulation of people's actions in private, except when it comes to something you find reprehensible.

[Obama 2012 1,714]

Hmmmmmm, seems quite hypocritical of you Paul. You seem to promote a very pro-choice, anti government regulation of people's actions in private, except when it comes to something you find reprehensible.

I'm not stopping anyone from acting like something or being something.

I am simply saying if your DNA says you're a man, then you're a man. If your DNA says you're a woman, you're a woman. You can choose to live as the other, but don't expect everyone else to bow down to your and accomodate you. The LPGA says no because it's for women only and this guy is only a woman in his head...

In my head, deep within my heart, I could be a neurologist. I highly doubt they'd let me perform surgery because I feel deep down that way though.

[Nagishkaw 510]

[thongd4me 69]

Hmmmmmm, seems quite hypocritical of you Paul. You seem to promote a very pro-choice, anti government regulation of people's actions in private, except when it comes to something you find reprehensible.

So if your'e not an amoeba and you choose to be an amoeba

does that make you an amoeba?

How you bring politics into your absurd criticism of Paul's post is most baffling.

The Olympics and other sports venues require that entrants are biologically male or female;

what they do on their own time is protected by the constitution and has no bearing on that.

Sometimes science is baffling for the unschooled.

Local school districts sometimes give free courses in the evenings...

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

So you knew it was a guy and you still checked out his legs?

Are you that homophobic?

[The_Dude 1,142]

I'm not stopping anyone from acting like something or being something.

I am simply saying if your DNA says you're a man, then you're a man. If your DNA says you're a woman, you're a woman. You can choose to live as the other, but don't expect everyone else to bow down to your and accomodate you. The LPGA says no because it's for women only and this guy is only a woman in his head...

In my head, deep within my heart, I could be a neurologist. I highly doubt they'd let me perform surgery because I feel deep down that way though.

Then what about those who are actually born with the the DNA of both genders? Anyone can qualifies, dependant upon the approval and transition process. You will receive reasonable accomodations (work, home, and some legal areas). I do agree with the LPGA. Men are bigger and stronger and physically different from women. In this case, it would give her a discernable advantage. Let her play, on the men's circuit.

They don't let you perform surgery, or take you seriously on this board because of your lack of comprehension, nothing more.