Three former University of Pennsylvania swimmers file a lawsuit challenging Lia Thomas’ athletic records and transgender inclusion in women’s sports.
Key Takeaways
- Three ex-UPenn swimmers sue to annul Lia Thomas’ athletic records and challenge transgender participation in women’s sports.
- The lawsuit alleges emotional trauma, privacy violations, and federal law breaches by UPenn, Harvard, NCAA, and Ivy League.
- Plaintiffs claim they were pressured to accept Thomas’ participation and warned against speaking out.
- The case seeks to declare Thomas ineligible for women’s races and vacate her records.
- This lawsuit is part of a broader national debate on transgender athletes in women’s sports.
Former Teammates Challenge Lia Thomas’ Records
Grace Estabrook, Margot Kaczorowski, and Ellen Holmquist, three former University of Pennsylvania swimmers, have filed a lawsuit against their alma mater, Harvard University, the NCAA, and the Ivy League Council of Presidents. The legal action calls for the annulment of Lia Thomas’ athletic records and questions the fairness of transgender participation in women’s sports.
The plaintiffs allege that competing alongside Thomas, a transgender athlete, caused them emotional harm and limited their advancement opportunities. They contend that the defendants violated federal legislation by facilitating Thomas’ inclusion, infringing upon their privacy and competition rights.
Three former University of Pennsylvania swimmers launched a lawsuit to vacate the records of transgender athlete Lia Thomas. Attorney Bill Bock, who represents the swimmers, alleged the "pressure campaign" defied common sense and harmed female athletes.https://t.co/WU2jk6Gean
— KATV News (@KATVNews) February 5, 2025
Claims of Intimidation and Forced Compliance
The lawsuit paints a picture of an intimidating environment created by the defendants, allegedly pushing a dominant trans-inclusive agenda. The former swimmers claim they were pressured to accept Thomas’ participation and were warned against speaking out.
According to the lawsuit, the women were allegedly warned that speaking publicly about their concerns could taint their reputations with accusations of transphobia, potentially harming their future job prospects. This created an atmosphere where the plaintiffs felt silenced and unable to voice their objections.
Privacy Concerns and Locker Room Issues
The lawsuit details incidents that raised privacy concerns among the female swimmers. Initially, they were assured they wouldn’t share a locker room with Thomas, but this policy reportedly changed. The suit describes an uncomfortable encounter where Kaczorowski found Thomas in the women’s locker room.
The lawsuit claims that when concerns were raised, coach Mike Schnur allegedly acknowledged the situation was wrong but felt powerless to act, reportedly stating, “I know it’s wrong but there’s nothing I can do.”
Broader Implications and Political Context
This legal challenge comes at a time of heightened national debate over transgender participation in sports. The lawsuit coincides with recent political actions, including a proposed executive order by President Donald Trump to ban biological men from competing in women’s sports.
The case seeks to create a class-action claim for 206 female athletes from the 2022 Ivy League Swimming and Diving Championships. It aims not only to address the specific concerns of the plaintiffs but also to impact broader policies regarding transgender athletes in collegiate sports.
As this lawsuit progresses, it is likely to fuel further discussion and potentially influence policy decisions regarding transgender participation in women’s sports across the nation.
Sources:
- Former UPenn athletes sue school, Ivy League to vacate transgender swimmer Lia Thomas’ collegiate records
- Former UPenn women’s swimmers sue Ivy League institutions and NCAA alleging push of pro-trans ideology
- Lia Thomas’ former teammates sue UPenn, Harvard and NCAA in lawsuit to scrub her records
