University under attack for permitting a transgender athlete to join swim team competitions
Scandal on Penn's Campus: The Transgender Swimmer Controversy
The University of Pennsylvania finds itself in hot water, with the Trump administration accusing the institution of violating Title IX - a law prohibiting gender discrimination in education - by allowing a transgender swimmer to compete on the women's team and access female-exclusive facilities.
Although the administration refrained from explicitly naming the controversial swimmer, numerous media reports suggest that the individual in question is none other than Lia Thomas. This athlete, who previously competed for UPenn in 2022, became the first openly transgender Division I champion that year, a title now hanging precariously due to this investigation.
The Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights launched its investigation in February, focusing specifically on Thomas, who has since become a powerful symbol for transgender athletes and a top target for political opponents, including Donald Trump himself.
The department's findings, announced on April 28, 2025, decried the university for offering "unfair competition" to women by permitting biologically male individuals to contend in female sports and occupy facilities reserved solely for them [1][2][3].
In response, the Department of Education has issued UPenn an ultimatum. The university is expected to:
- Release a statement pledging allegiance to Title IX
- Revoke any Division I swimming awards or records earned by the transgender swimmer
- issue an apology to each affected female swimmer and acknowledge the university's commitment to upholding Title IX standards[1][3][5].
At the time of writing, UPenn has remained silent on the matter, maintaining that it has consistently adhered to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and Ivy League policies, both during Thomas' time competing and post-controversy.
If UPenn fails to comply with these demands within a week, legal action could ensue, potentially threatening federal funding for the university [2][3][5].
Notably, in March 2022, the Trump administration withheld approximately $175 million in federal funding from UPenn after allowing Thomas to compete, drawing criticism from various departments, including the Departments of Defense and Health and Human Services[2].
The NCAA, following a sport-by-sport approach, had initially permitted Thomas to compete under specific criteria related to hormone replacement therapy[4]. However, the NCAA swiftly amended its policy the day after Donald Trump signed an executive order banning transgender athletes from participating in women's sports, favoring a general policy that allows only athletes assigned female at birth to compete in such sports[4].
This controversy surrounding UPenn is part of a broader wave of investigations and legal battles involving schools and athletic associations over transgender participation in sports [3]. The Department of Education has also initiated similar probes into San Jose State University, public schools in Denver and Portland, the Oregon School Activities Association, and the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association [3].
In addition, the department has filed a lawsuit against the state of Maine, demanding action to ban transgender athletes from women's sports or face potential lawsuits [3].
[1] Casserly, J. (2025). "Department of Education Alleges Penn Violated Title IX, Demands Compliance." The Daily Pennsylvanian.
[2] Tucker, C. (2022). "Feds Cut $175 Million in Funding to UPenn Over Transgender Swimmer." The Hill.
[3] Green, C. (2025). "Department of Education Investigates Several Institutions Over Transgender Sports Policies." ESPN.
[4] "Transgender Athletes in College Sports: A Complicated Issue." (2022) NPR.
[5] "Facts About Title IX for School Districts and Colleges." (n.d.) Education Commission of the States.
- The University of Pennsylvania faces allegations of violating Title IX, a law that prohibits gender discrimination in education, due to permitting a transgender swimmer named Lia Thomas to compete on the women's team and access female-exclusive facilities.
- The Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights, focusing specifically on Thomas, has accused the university of offering "unfair competition" to women by permitting biologically male individuals to partake in female sports and occupy facilities reserved solely for them.
- In response to the investigation, the Department of Education has imposed an ultimatum on UPenn, requiring the university to release a statement pledging allegiance to Title IX, revoke any Division I swimming awards or records earned by Thomas, issue an apology to affected female swimmers, and adhere to Title IX standards.
- If UPenn fails to comply with the demands within a week, legal action could ensue, potentially leading to the withdrawal of federal funding for the university.
- The controversy surrounding UPenn is part of a broader wave of investigations and legal battles involving schools and athletic associations over transgender participation in sports, with the department launching similar probes into several other institutions.
- The Department of Education has also filed a lawsuit against the state of Maine, demanding action to ban transgender athletes from women's sports or face potential lawsuits.
