L.A. Times sportswriter to undergo sex change operation.

Los Angeles Times sportswriter Mike Penner will undergo a sex change operation, after which he will be known as Christine Daniels.

“During my 23 years with The Times’ sports department, I have held a wide variety of roles and titles. Tennis writer. Angels beat reporter. Olympics writer. Essayist. Sports media critic. NFL columnist. Recent keeper of the Morning Briefing flame … Today I leave for a few weeks’ vacation, and when I return, I will come back in yet another incarnation. As Christine.”

This relatively stunning announcement has become a big topic online. Here is a sampling of the public reaction.

Sports By Brooks:

“Much more interesting (at least to me) is the way the newspaper handled the story on its website. On the front page (above), Penner’s admission was the only sports-related story. … But in the sports section of the site, Penner’s piece was buried, with his column the fourth story down the sports page (below an Anaheim Ducks game recap?!).”

Commenter blondebomber on the Sports Journalists.com message board:

“Whatever. I don’t care one way or another. But why did she have to dread writing this story for so long? Why would it enter her mind we gave a damn? Just another example of a writer thinking a personal story is so important the readers MUST know.My wife had a miscarriage last year. How dare my editor not let me write about that … I have nothing against the guy’s personal beliefs or decisions. Sorry if I don’t think this has a place in sports. If the features section wanted to do a story on him, fine. But a first-person spiritual catharsis? Not appropriate in the sports section.“

Michael David Smith of the AOL Fanhouse:

“The news … is a good opportunity to note that transsexuals are part of every segment of society and every occupation. In fact, Penner is not the only transsexual sports writer in America. Christina Kahrl has worked on all 12 editions of the annual book Baseball Prospectus. In most of those editions Kahrl was a man writing under the name Chris Kahrl, but two years ago she changed her byline when she changed her gender. … Simply by living their lives, Kahrl and Penner are helping to make us a more open-minded society.“

mjd of the AOL Fanhouse:

“Our relationship with Mike/Christine is that of writer/reader … and other than the name in the byline, the dynamics of that relationship don’t change here. If you thought he was a hack yesterday, she’ll be a hack a month from now. If you enjoyed his work yesterday, you can enjoy his work a month from now. Best of luck to her.”