University of Pennsylvania transgender swimmer Lia Thomas continued to dominate the competition Saturday, winning two races in a meet against Ivy League rival Harvard University.
Thomas, 22, won the women’s 100-yard and 200-yard freestyle races at the meet, held just days after USA Swimming announced it will release a new policy for “elite” transgender athletes.
Thomas finished first in her 100-yard race in 50.55 seconds with her [sic] closest competitor coming in at 51.51. In the 200-yard race, she [sic] won in 1:47.08 with the second place swimmer finishing behind at 1:48.44, according to listed results.
Thomas, who previously swam for UPenn’s men’s team for three years before transitioning, made a name for herself [sic] breaking school and national records this year, prompting the NCAA to review its guidelines for transgender athletes.
(Reminder why I don’t use “preferred” pronouns.)
Just throwing this up there to add to the list of Great Moments in Women’s Rights that I’m sure will become longer as 2022 progresses.
Also: times and placement doesn’t matter, although it certainly does get our attention. Lia Thomas could not have placed at all, and the fact remains: there’s a woman out there who is not on the UPenn women’s swim team because a man got that spot.
Also as a brief post to remind you that as the state legislature season begins, you’ll be seeing more discussions of this – keep your eyes out for all those “anti-trans” bills – most will be related to athletics and medical exploitation of children and youth.
As you read the emotional and manipulative rhetoric, remember Lia Thomas and just think.
Why is Lia Thomas on the women’s swim team?
Because he says he’s a woman now.
In what sense can Lia Thomas claim to be a woman?
He’s taken some female hormones for a year. And his hair is longer.
Why does he say he’s a woman?
Because he says he feels like he’s a woman.
So…is that all you have to do to enter women’s and girls spaces now?
If you say you are…then you are.
Is that it?
Charlotte was Both 