Lana Lawless is a 57-year-old transgender golfer, who won the women's division of the Long Drivers of America championship in 2008. Lawless was barred from competing in the 2010 Long Drivers of America championship competition because she's transgender.

Recently, the Long Drivers of America changed its rules to match Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) policy requiring competitors to be born female. Lawless filed a federal lawsuit against the LPGA's policy that competitors be "female at birth."

This policy is clearly in violation of California civil rights law, which prohibits discrimination based on gender identity.

The LPGA should follow the lead of other athletic groups that allow transgender competitors, including the International Olympic Committee, the United States Golf Association, the Ladies Golf Union in Britain, and the Ladies European Golf Tour.

Transgender women do not have a competitive edge in sports and should not be barred from athletic competitions based on their gender identity.

The LPGA should change its policies to comply with the law and allow transgender competitors.