In 1977, Dr. Renée Richards, an ophthalmologist and former male amateur tennis player, successfully sued the U.S. Tennis Association to compete in the US Open women's draw following her gender transition, with legal backing from attorney Roy Cohn. A new biography by sports journalist Julie Kliegman examines Richards's complex legacy, revealing that the now-92-year-old pioneer has shifted her position and now supports restricting trans women from competing in women's sports unless they have not undergone male puberty. The lawsuit, while significant for Richards personally, did not establish broader precedent for trans athletes; Kliegman notes that contemporary hostility toward trans inclusion in sports has intensified considerably since 1977.
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