Leah Thomas, a swimmer identifying as transgender, is stepping up her activism while receiving recognition at a partial LGBTQ+ event supported by the Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angeles Football Club.
On Thursday night in Los Angeles, the former UPenn athlete, whose birth name is William Thomas, arrived at Serra on Vine. Standing at about 6 feet 5 inches, Thomas wore a purple dress and stilettos to accept the 2025 Violet Visionary Award’s Voice of Inspiration Award, as noted in a report by OutKick, part of the 2025 Violet Visionary Awards organized by the non-profit Rainbow Labs.
After two drag performances and a video showcasing Thomas’ journey from competing on the men’s team to participating in women’s competitions, Thomas took the stage. The event highlighted the challenges faced by Thomas as an “athlete fighting for acceptance despite backlash.”
“I want to express my deep gratitude to everyone at the Rainbow Institute for bringing us all together,” Thomas began in their acceptance speech. “It’s emotional because I remember being 18 and just coming to terms with my identity as transgender.”
Now 26, Thomas shared, “I was thrilled about being my true self, but terrified to take that first step since I didn’t know anyone else who was transgender. I wasn’t sure what being trans truly meant.”
“Opening up felt like an insurmountable challenge, and I wondered if I was strong enough to go through with it,” Thomas admitted.
Thomas credited a transgender mentor for encouraging him to pursue women’s athletics in line with his identity. “Thanks to many amazing trans mentors, I found the courage to be myself and ultimately reconcile my identity as a swimmer with being a trans woman,” he stated.
Thomas’ participation in women’s sports and the debate surrounding it catalyzed public pushback against the inclusion of transgender athletes, particularly in women’s categories. This controversy gained further momentum during Donald Trump’s presidency when he signed an executive order banning biological males from competing in women’s sports.
During the event, Thomas mentioned facing “messages of violence” online and expressed a desire for organizations like Rainbow Labs when he was younger to better understand his identity as transgender.
Despite the controversies over her sports accomplishments, Thomas referred to her role as a prominent transgender figure as “my purpose.”
“I’m grateful to the leaders before me. It was clear I had to be the next trailblazer for transgender people, a legacy that spans hundreds of years. That’s my purpose; that’s why I’m here,” he explained.
He continued, “To be a guiding light for others is an unparalleled honor. It means more than anything.”
Other speakers at the event described LGBTQ+ individuals as facing oppression and celebrated transgender individuals as heroes. Daisy Chavez, a representative for the LA Football Club, emphasized support for “gays” in the local community, saying it’s crucial to remember that sexual orientation and sports intersect.
“We have always been here, as athletes and fans, and our presence serves as a reminder to the community and the world,” she added.
After the awards, there was reportedly a performance featuring dancers in pasties surrounded by topless men.
