The University of Pennsylvania has banned transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports. UPenn reached an agreement with the Trump administration after the Department of Education threatened to pause $175 million in federal funding to UPenn.
Secretary of Education Linda McMahon said in a press release. “Today is a great victory for women and girls not only at the University of Pennsylvania, but all across our nation.”
Lia Thomas initially competed on UPenn’s men’s swim team
The University will also strip Lia Thomas’ swimming titles and records under the agreement. Thomas (pictured above) competed on UPenn’s women’s swim team and won an NCAA Division I title during the 2021-2022 season.
Thomas, 26, is the first known transgender athlete to win an NCAA Division I title. Thomas initially competed on the men’s swim team at UPenn.
In 2018, Thomas came out as a transgender woman to family and coaches and began hormone replacement therapy in 2019.
Thomas (pictured with swimmer Riley Gaines) continued to swim on the men’s team during the 2019–20 season, while taking female hormones, and officially joined the women’s swim team in 2021.
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The Department of Education found that UPenn violated Title IX when it allowed a male-bodied athlete to compete on a woman’s team and use female-only facilities.
The agreement requires UPenn to restore all female swimming records and titles that had been awarded to the transgender swimmer.
On Tuesday, UPenn updated its school records for women’s swimming, erasing Thomas as the all-time record holder in the 100, 200 and 500 freestyle.
The school also issued apology letters to the affected female athletes. Swimmer Riley Gaines became an advocate for women’s sports after losing to Thomas while competing for the University of Kentucky.
Incoming President Donald Trump signed an executive order in January saying the United States would “recognize two sexes, male and female,” and the Trump administration would block funding to schools that allow transgender athletes to compete in women’s sports.
