The Department of Education and the Trump administration are claiming that the University of Pennsylvania violated Title IX by allowing Lia Thomas, a transgender woman, to compete on the women's swim team. This accusation misrepresents both the law and the facts.

Lia Thomas competed under the official NCAA and Ivy League rules that were in place at the time. She met all eligibility requirements, including medical guidelines, and competed fairly. To now punish her or the university retroactively is unjust and undermines the very purpose of Title IX, which was created to protect fairness and opportunity for all women.

Transgender women are women. Lia’s participation did not take opportunities away from anyone. It affirmed her right to compete and to live as her authentic self. Discrimination has no place in education or athletics.

We call on the Department of Education and federal officials to respect the rules that were in place, to honor Lia Thomas’s achievements, and to reject politically motivated efforts to erase her contributions to collegiate sports.

Standing for fairness means standing against all forms of discrimination, including discrimination against transgender women like Lia Thomas.

Stand with Penn. Stand with Lia Thomas. 

Photo: AP Photo/John Bazemore