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The Lia Thomas Story
Lia Thomas shares her experiences as an openly transgender athlete. She recounts her story from childhood, to discovering her trans identity, to finally her career as a swimmer. She shares the difficulties and joys of her life and journey and how they fit into the unique challenge of grappling with both trans and athletic identity. In doing so, she illuminates the human aspect of trans inclusion in sports.
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Transgender Athletic Policy and the Importance of Inclusion
Lia Thomas discusses the impact of trans exclusionary policies in athletics and how barriers to inclusion are harmful to all.
See Lia Thomas in action.
First trans athlete to win an NCAA D1 Championship
Lia Thomas (she/her) is a transgender woman, an athlete, and an advocate. She graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 2022 where she competed as an openly transgender swimmer and became the first trans athlete to win an NCAA D1 Championship. She received significant media attention for her competition on the women’s team and has spoken about her experiences and of the importance of inclusion in athletics. In addition to her NCAA awards, she has been named one of the 100 most Influential Philadelphians in 2022 and The Trustee’s Council of Penn Women’s 2022 Athletic Achievement Award.
Our speakers get attention.
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Lia Thomas’ Fight to CompeteIn 2022, University of Pennsylvania swimmer Lia Thomas became the first trans woman to win a D1 NCAA title.
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The Trans Swimmer Who Won Too MuchLia Thomas is not the first trans swimmer in the N.C.A.A., but her victories have put her at the center of a debate about trans athletes.
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What Lia Thomas Could Mean for Women’s Elite SportsAlthough the number of top transgender athletes is small, the disagreements are profound, cutting to the core of the debate around gender identity and biological sex.
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Former University of Pennsylvania swimmer Lia Thomas responds to critics: ‘Trans women competing in women’s sports does not threaten women’s sports’Two months after becoming the first transgender athlete to win an NCAA Division I national championship, former University of Pennsylvania swimmer Lia Thomas pushed back on some of the criticism…
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‘I Am Lia’: The Trans Swimmer Dividing America Tells Her StoryLia Thomas has dominated women’s college swimming this season—and has also become a lightning rod for controversy.
