Notorious transgender college swimmer Leah Thomas recently spoke out against a ban on transgender athletes in women's sports in Iowa, saying transgender kids “don't deserve” to participate in sports. made a false claim.
Thomas was asked to participate in a panel discussion this month at the Trans Athletes and the Future of Sports event at Iowa State University to discuss legislation signed into law in 2022 by Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds. fox news Reported.
The former college swimmer had an unremarkable record in men's college swimming when he entered college, but after “transferring” he joined the University of Pennsylvania's women's swim team and suddenly became a top-level swimmer, attracting attention. Ta.
During a panel discussion, Thomas blasted Iowa's law, falsely claiming that it excludes transgender children from sports.
“With the ban here in Iowa, the state is actively saying to transgender kids, 'You don't deserve to participate.' You're actually being excluded.” said the former athlete.
But his claims are not true. The law does not prohibit transgender children from participating in sports. It simply prohibits men who identify as women from participating in women's sports. These transgender children have every right to play on teams according to their birth gender.
Mr Thomas added that sports are essential to a child's education and development.
“I had a team, I had a group that I could relate to…that gave me a sense of belonging,” Thomas said in comments during the panel discussion. “For me, athletics and the water were just…a safe haven where I could leave my worries outside.
Activist and One Iowa Policy Advocacy Director Keenan Crowe agreed with Thomas, but also falsely accused transgender children of being banned from sports in Iowa.
“Excluding trans athletes from sports deprives them of the opportunity to participate in a part of life that teaches resilience, teamwork, and community… It’s worth it just to be on a team and be included. Especially for young people who are struggling to be accepted,'' Crowe exclaimed.
Committee members also flatly denied that male-born athletes have a physical advantage over women in sports.
But many women are finally waking up to the fact that transgender people in sports are being forced on them without their consent.
Paula Scanlan, a former swimmer who was on the same UPenn swim team as Thomas, said forcing women to confront naked men in sports locker rooms is a huge problem for women who have survived sexual assault. He pointed out that.
“This is real. I know women who have lost their roster spots, who have lost their podium spots. I know women who have suffered sexual trauma who have had biological men in their locker rooms without their consent. I know the negative effects of what I put in there, and I know this because I'm one of those women,” Scanlan said.
“I was sexually assaulted on June 3, 2016. I was only 16 years old. I was able to forgive my attacker, but violence against women still exists. Let's not forget the viral #MeToo movement that has empowered people to speak out. This piece spotlights the prevalence of sexual assault and abuse, including in academic and educational institutions. I'm shining a light on it.”
Still, many women are finally fighting back. In recent months, high school and college teams have stood up against the intrusion of transgender athletes on their teams, sports, and spaces.
Just this month, for example, the girls' volleyball team at a Christian school in Merced, Calif., withdrew from a game because it didn't want to play against a transgender player.
Women on some college teams are also speaking out. This year, a lawsuit was filed against San Jose State University (SJSU) and the Mountain West Conference for allowing men to play on the SJSU women's volleyball team.
Additionally, five universities refused to play against SJSU because transgender athlete Blair Fleming was enrolled at the school.
The NCAA is also facing lawsuits from several organizations over its policy of allowing transgender athletes to play as women.
The Olympics are also facing an internal debate over transgender people in women's sports, as the International Olympic Committee's new presidential candidate campaigns on a promise to ban men from women's sports.
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