LPGA 'Female At Birth' Policy Scrapped

In the wake of a discrimination lawsuit filed by transwoman Lana Lawless,  the LPGA players voted yesterday to allow trans  women golfers a chance to play on the tour.    The vote was conducted at a meeting in advance of the LPGA Tour Championship, which starts Thursday at the Grand Cypress Golf Club in Orlando.

LPGA players voted to amend the constitution by removing the "female at birth" requirement and puts the LPGA in line with other international sporting associations like the International Olympic Committee and the Ladies European Tour.

Will we see Mianne Bagger at an LPGA event near us in the near future?   Only time will tell.

The bottom line is that if a young transwoman has the talent and desire to play in the LPGA, if she qualifies, she now has the opportunity to do so.  

LPGA To Vote On Trans Inclusion

In  response to Lana Lawless' October 12 federal discrimination lawsuit, the LPGA according to a report on GolfChannel.com is preparing to hold a November 30 player meeting at its Tour Championship event in Orlando to propose that its “female at birth” requirement for membership be changed to allow transgender membership.

The players were briefed at a recent meeting at a South Korean tour event in late October that the 'female at birth' requirement was created in a different era and time frame, is difficult to defend legally and other sporting organizations such as the International Olympic Committee, the U.S. Golf Association, the Ladies European Tour and the British Ladies Golf Union have amended their bylaws to allow trans participation in their events.

Even if the LPGA changes its bylaws, Lawless' attorney Christopher Dolan said the lawsuit will continue to be pursued as Lawless seeks damages for interference with her ability to earn a living as a professional golfer.  

The LPGA rules as currently constituted also prohibit her from becoming a teaching member of the association


It will take a 2/3 vote of LPGA members to change those bylaws, and we'll see on November 30 if that happens.