The University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) is facing backlash after deleting Lia’s name from the University’s all-time records for women’s sports. The exclusion of this prominent trans athlete has garnered national headlines. This decision is particularly notable against the backdrop of recent changes to NCAA eligibility rules. These revisions have ignited some critical conversations around equity in women’s athletics. Although Thomas was assigned male at birth, she came out as a trans woman in 2018. In 2022, she made national headlines again, taking home a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I championship as the first openly trans athlete to win such a title.
Lia Thomas began her hormone replacement therapy in 2019. During the 2021-22 season, she broke UPenn records in five women’s events, both freestyle competitions at 100 and 500 meters among them. These records were set based on the eligibility guidelines that were currently implemented during her time of participation. UPenn maintains a small history of Thomas’s records. What they meant was, these accomplishments were achieved under the old eligibility standards.
In June, UPenn’s president, Larry Jameson, responded to the uproar about Thomas’ involvement. He really understood that student athletes were being placed at a disadvantage by NCAA eligibility rules. He stated, “We recognize this and will apologize to those who experienced a competitive disadvantage or experienced anxiety because of the policies in effect at the time.”
The issue of trans women competing in women’s sports has become a lightning rod. People have different views on the trade-off between inclusion and fairness. World Athletics has implemented oppressive rules for women’s competitions. Participants are now required to submit DNA tests to establish their biological sex. These types of regulations attempt to assuage fears, often lobbied by rivals, about any competitive edge that transgender women may possess.
Linda McMahon, the U.S. Education Secretary, praised UPenn for its actions regarding Thomas’ records, framing them as a necessary step towards ensuring fairness in women’s sports. She remarked, “The Department commends UPenn for rectifying its past harms against women and girls, and we will continue to fight relentlessly to restore Title IX’s proper application and enforce it to the fullest extent of the law.”
Major LGBTQ advocacy organizations, such as the Human Rights Campaign and GLAAD, have begun to recognize this challenge. They lead the charge for equality and offer essential services to LGBTQ people. They focus on the need to create a welcoming culture and still acknowledge the challenges posed by competitive athletics.
Even as conversations are ongoing about the impact of these policies on future NCAA tournaments, the state of women’s sports continues to change rapidly. Stakeholders from various perspectives remain engaged in dialogue about how best to navigate the intersection of gender identity and athletic competition.
