Lia Thomas

A society that wronged a Black woman definitely won't get it right when it comes to trans women.

“This fight is not just about me, it’s about taking a stand and fighting for dignity, equality and the human rights of women in sport,” she tweeted in February 2021. Race is also why Naomi Osaka was recently booed, and why “white feminists” like Jane Campion chose to belittle the accomplishments of icons like Venus and Serena Williams to make her feel better about herself for working in a male-dominated industry. And when it comes to dealing with society’s view on the trans community, how trans athletes are handled will play a major part in that. Back in 2009, Time Magazine did a story on Semenya titled “Could This Women’s World Champ Be a Man?” after she won the 800 meters at the World Championships in Berlin. She also wasn’t allowed to compete in the Tokyo Games. “It is out of our control and we rely on people at the top sorting it out,” said British runner Lynsey Sharp after she got roasted by Semenya in the 2016 Olympics, finishing sixth. She isn’t a trans woman and she isn’t transitioning.

A number of misleading and false claims were circulated after Lia Thomas became the first transgender athlete to win an NCAA Division I national ...

I ask that the NCAA takes time to think about all the other biological women in swimming, try to think how they would feel if they would be in our shoes. One spot was taken away from the girl who got 9th in the 500 free and didn’t make it back to the A final preventing her from being an All-American. Every event that transgender athlete competed in was one spot taken away from biological females throughout the meet. The Philadelphia Inquirer notes that while Thomas became the first transgender athlete to win an NCAA Division I national championship, her performance wasn’t record-breaking. This week has been more about reporters, media and division in our sport than things like two women going under 21 seconds in the 50 freestyle, 3 women going under 50 seconds in the 100 butterfly and the first women IN HISTORY to go under 49 seconds in the 100 backstroke. I tis the result of the NCAA and their lack of interest in protecting their athletes. I swam the 500 freestyle at NCAA’s on March 17th, 2022 where I got 17th which means I did not make it back to the finals and was first alternate. I know you could say I had the opportunity to swim faster and make the top 16, but this situation make it a bit different and I can’t help but be angry or sad. On the other hand, I would like to critique the NCAA rules that allow her to compete against us, who are biologically women. I’m writing this letter right now in hopes that the NCAA will open their eyes and change these rules in the future. I have been top 16 and top 8 before and I know how much of a privilege it is to make finals at a meet this big. I would like to address this past week’s events and express my thoughts. The swimmer did, however, criticize the NCAA’s rules “that allow [Thomas] to compete against us, who are biological women.”

To no one's surprise, male athletes re-entering sports as female are snapping up championships and records across the country.

Feigning offense is how a relatively small group of partisans have managed to sidetrack this pressing matter of basic fairness away from the public forum. There are moments when an alarm light goes on — paying, for example, $2 for gas yesterday and today seeing it at $5, with fears growing just as quickly about the competence and honesty of political and civil authorities. To no one’s surprise, male athletes re-entering sports as female are snapping up championships and records across the country.

Caitlyn Jenner agrees with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, says transgender swimmer Lia Thomas is not the rightful NCAA champion despite her victory in the ...

She was raised as a biological boy. She was born as a biological boy. I feel sorry for the other athletes that are out there, especially at Penn or anyone she’s competing against, because in the woke world you have to say, ‘Oh my gosh, this is great.’ No it’s not.” All of this is woke world that we’re living in right now is not working. Her cardiovascular system is bigger. She is the rightful winner!” Jenner tweeted.