UPenn Changes Sports Rules: What It Means for Transgender Athletes

The University of Pennsylvania has made some big changes to its sports policies. They will no longer allow transgender athletes to compete on women's teams. This decision comes after an agreement with the federal government. The school will also erase the records set by Lia Thomas, a transgender swimmer who won the NCAA championship in 2022. UPenn's president said the school will follow new rules set by the NCAA. These rules limit transgender athletes from competing in women's sports. The school will also use biology-based definitions for male and female athletes. This is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to restrict transgender participation in sports and the military. The changes affect Lia Thomas directly. Her records have been removed from the school's list. A note explains that she set these records under different rules. The school will also apologize to female athletes who lost to Thomas during the 2021-2022 season. The debate over transgender athletes is ongoing. Some people believe transgender women have an unfair advantage in sports. However, research does not support this claim. A 2017 study found no consistent evidence of an athletic advantage for transgender athletes. A more recent study in 2023 showed that hormone therapy can reduce many sex differences over time. The Trump administration has taken a strong stance on this issue. They signed an executive order to ban transgender women from competing in women's sports. The order aims to protect women's sports and ensure fair competition. Critics argue that this move discriminates against transgender athletes and limits their opportunities. Lia Thomas has been at the center of this debate. She became the first transgender athlete to win an NCAA Division I title. Thomas has spoken about her identity and her right to compete as a woman. Despite her achievements, she has faced backlash and legal challenges. She has also been barred from international events by World Aquatics, which has strict rules for transgender athletes.