civil rights laws

Lana Lawless, a women’s world champion in long-drive golf, is suing the LPGA after being denied entry into the same event this year because of a policy that says competitors must be “female at birth.” Her federal lawsuit claims that the requirement violates California civil rights law. The suit also names Long Drivers of America and its corporate sponsors Dick’s Sporting Goods and Re/Max, and tournament sponsor CVS.

Female professional golfers voted Tuesday to allow transgender women the opportunity to tee off. The LPGA's constitution will be changed to remove the "female at birth" requirement. The decision comes as Lana Lawless, 57, underwent sex-reassignment surgery in 2005 and then filed a lawsuit against the league, claiming it violated California's civil rights laws. Lawless was a long-drive champion in 2008, but was barred from competing at the same event this year because the Long Drivers of America, which runs it, changed its policies to reflect the LPGA's then-current policy.

The Equality Act would include protections in public accommodations, public education, employment, housing, federal funding, jury service, legal protections, and credit.

Alison Bechdel, Mary Bonauto, and Samuel Hunter were named three of 21 recipients of this year's highly coveted MacArthur Foundation grant.

As expected, Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson allowed a law banning local ordinances protecting LGBT people from discrimination to become law without his signature.

A lesbian couple was among the first gay couples to legally marry in Colombia.

A judge in Honolulu, Hawaii, ruled that a local bed and breakfast owner discriminated against a lesbian couple when she refused to allow them to book a reservation upon learning they couple were of the same sex, reports Lambda Legal, which represented the couple.

Two lesbian and gay greats, Harvey Milk and Billie Jean King, will be honored Wednesday with a Medal of Freedom at the White House. President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama will host the ceremony in the East Room of the White House around 3 p.m.

The Senate voted 66-32 Tuesday evening to confirm the judicial nomination of Marisa Demeo, an openly lesbian judge. President Obama appointed Demeo in March 2009, but heavy opposition from Republicans   blocked her confirmation for over a year. Demeo has worked as a lobbyist and advocate for Hispanic causes and has a history of LGBT activism. She currently holds memberships in the Human Rights Campaign and Lambda Legal.