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University of Pennsylvania Bans Transgender Athletes from Women’s Sports

A representation of fairness in women's sports amidst new policy changes at the University of Pennsylvania

News Summary

The University of Pennsylvania has implemented a new policy prohibiting transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports, following federal investigations related to swimmer Lia Thomas. This change, which includes an apology to affected female athletes, reflects a broader shift towards policies reminiscent of the Trump administration. The Department of Education has mandated compliance with biology-based definitions of male and female in college athletics. The decision has sparked debate, highlighting issues of fairness and safety in competitive sports.

Philadelphia — The University of Pennsylvania announced a policy change banning transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports, following a federal civil rights investigation linked to swimmer Lia Thomas. This agreement, finalized with the U.S. Department of Education, also includes an apology to female athletes who were negatively impacted by previous policies that allowed transgender women to compete in women’s categories.

The Department of Education stated that the university will restore the titles and records of female athletes that were perceived as “misappropriated by male athletes,” and update records from the 2021-22 season based on current eligibility guidelines. However, the university did not provide specific information about whether Thomas’ swimming records would be erased from official lists.

Thomas made history as the first transgender athlete to win a national college title in March 2022 while competing on the women’s swimming team. This agreement represents a broader shift back towards the policies initiated during the Trump administration, which sought to limit the participation of transgender athletes in sports. An executive order signed by Trump early in his presidency aimed to prevent transgender women from joining female sports categories.

The investigation into the University of Pennsylvania was spurred by allegations of violations of Title IX, legislation designed to protect individuals from sex-based discrimination in educational programs and activities. In April 2022, the university faced a significant financial threat when the Trump administration halted $175 million in federal funding, citing concerns over its policies regarding transgender athletes.

Under the terms of the new agreement, the university is required to adhere to “biology-based definitions” of male and female, reflecting the standards set forth in Trump’s previous directives. The U.S. Education Secretary highlighted this development as a crucial indication of the administration’s influence on the rights of female athletes.

Prior to the new regulations, UPenn claimed that its policies were in line with NCAA eligibility criteria, but acknowledged that female student-athletes felt disadvantaged. Lia Thomas trained with the men’s swim team for three seasons before undergoing hormone replacement therapy in spring 2019, eventually competing as a female in 2022. During her time with the women’s team, she broke multiple school swim records.

The NCAA noted that approximately 10 transgender athletes are currently participating at the collegiate level. However, Thomas has faced various legal challenges in her pursuit to compete at elite levels of women’s sports, including a case that was ultimately rejected by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

The recent agreement has drawn criticism from organizations like the Human Rights Campaign, which argue that it unfairly targets students and scapegoats transgender individuals, undermining their rights. Nevertheless, some of Thomas’ female teammates have expressed relief with the new policy, validating their concerns about fairness and safety in competitive sports settings.

Former swimmer Monika Burzynska indicated that many female athletes felt uncomfortable sharing locker rooms with Thomas, creating stress and anxiety among team members. The university has committed to personally apologizing to female athletes who competed against Thomas during the 2021-2022 season, recognizing the emotional turmoil some experienced due to the circumstances surrounding her participation.

In past months, UPenn’s administration reportedly pressured students to remain silent about their discomfort regarding Thomas’ involvement with the women’s team. A lawsuit filed by three female swimmers alleged that the university contravened federal law by permitting Thomas to compete in women’s sports categories.

UPenn’s president reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to fostering a respectful environment while also complying with federal regulations and NCAA rules. As a result of the recent policy changes, Thomas’ swimming records have been removed from UPenn’s official all-time records, with notes indicating her achievements occurred under different eligibility rules. The Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights concluded that UPenn violated Title IX by allowing a biological male to compete in programs designated for women and occupy female-only spaces.