The U.S. Department of Education revealed on Tuesday that the University of Pennsylvania has reached an agreement with the Trump administration to prevent biological male trans athletes from participating in women’s sports.
This resolution follows an investigation initiated by the department into Title IX violations concerning the swimming program, particularly involving trans athlete Leah Thomas, who previously swam for the men’s team before switching to the women’s team for the 2021-22 season.
In the department’s statement, it mentioned that UPenn had finalized a resolution to align with Title IX of the Education Amendment established in 1972.
As part of the new agreement, several actions will be taken by UPenn:
- UPenn will restore records in Division I swimming that were previously held by male athletes competing in women’s events.
- The university will officially announce that it will not permit male participation in women’s athletic programs or in women’s facilities.
- The announcement will clarify that UPenn will adhere to a biological definition of “male” and “female,” following President Trump’s executive orders aimed at safeguarding women’s sports.
- Information about this policy change will be prominently displayed on UPenn’s main website as well as on sites related to women’s athletics.
- UPenn will retract any guidance that contravenes Title IX, modify documents that may conflict with Title IX, and inform staff and athletes about such changes.
- Each affected female swimmer will receive a personalized apology letter.
U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon confirmed this resolution, stating that it represents significant progress in protecting women’s sports for the future.
Former UPenn swimmer Paula Scanlan, who was among the first to speak out against the situation, expressed her gratitude towards the Trump administration for its efforts to safeguard the rights of female athletes.
“In light of their strong leadership, I believe my alma mater has no choice but to reform its policies,” Scanlan stated. She emphasized that this marks a crucial step in addressing past injustices and fostering an environment free of sexism.
It’s worth noting that other former UPenn swimmers have also taken action; three of them filed a lawsuit against the university, seeking to challenge Thomas’ accolades and alleging that the environment had caused psychological distress among female swimmers.
After the administration froze $175 million in school funding earlier this year, the Department of Education determined that UPenn had indeed violated Title IX regarding Thomas’ involvement.
The controversy surrounding Thomas at the 2022 NCAA Championship has been viewed as a pivotal moment in the broader debate on transgender inclusion in women’s sports. Riley Gaines, a conservative activist who notably competed against Thomas, has since risen to prominence for advocating against male athletes in women’s categories.
Gaines previously mentioned she might even thank Thomas for bringing attention to these issues, which she believes could influence future elections.
Interestingly, a national exit survey revealed that a significant segment of moderate voters placed importance on the matter, with many considering it a key issue in the upcoming elections.
Requests for comments were made to UPenn and representatives for Thomas, but no responses have been received.
