03-21-2024
Sixteen former and current female college athletes allege the NCAA violated their Title IX rights because it allowed Lia Thomas, a transgender woman, to compete at the 2022 national swimming championships. They assert the NCAA did not use USA Swimming guidelines that would have precluded Thomas from competing due to elevated testosterone levels. The group is bringing this case "to secure for future generations of women the promise of Title IX that is being denied them and other college women." The women want the NCAA to strip transgender athletes of any awards and titles and to "reassign and revise" them.
The female athletes say they were shocked and uncomfortable sharing a locker room with Thomas. They contest the races with Thomas, including a 200-yard final where Thomas and Riley Gaines tied for fifth place, but Thomas received the fifth-place trophy. Thomas swam for the University of Pennsylvania, where she competed on the men's team for two years before transitioning. After two years of hormone therapy, she met NCAA standards to swim on the women's team. Another swimmer lost a spot to compete in the final that Thomas won. Because that swimmer did not make the final, she did not earn first-team All-American honors. Thomas became the first openly transgender athlete to win a Division I title in any sport. Thomas beat three Olympic medalists for the championship.
The NCAA does not comment on pending litigation but affirmed its commitment to promoting Title IX and investing in women’s sports. Critics believe transgender athletes have an advantage over cisgender women. Extensive research does not yet exist on whether this belief is valid. The lawsuit seeks to stop the NCAA from using its transgender eligibility policies.