University of Pennsylvania to ban transgender athletes, feds say, ending civil rights case focused on swimmer Lia Thomas
Share this @internewscast.com

The University of Pennsylvania has settled a federal civil rights case by prohibiting transgender women from joining its women’s sports teams, following allegations of rights violations against female athletes.

The U.S. Education Department disclosed this voluntary settlement on Tuesday. The case was centered around Lia Thomas, a transgender swimmer who previously competed for the school when she made history as the first openly transgender competitor to secure a Division I championship in 2022.

It’s part of the Trump administration’s broader attempt to remove transgender athletes from girls’ and women’s sports.

As part of the settlement, Penn has promised to reinstate all swimming records and titles in Division I formerly claimed by Lia Thomas to the original female athletes, according to the Education Department. Additionally, Penn has agreed to issue personalized apology letters to every impacted swimmer.

It wasn’t immediately clear whether Thomas would be stripped of her awards and honors at Penn.

The university must also announce that it “will not allow males to compete in female athletic programs, “and it must adopt “biology-based” definitions of male and female, the department said.

Education Secretary Linda McMahon called it a victory for women and girls.

“The Department commends UPenn for rectifying its past harms against women and girls, and we will continue to fight relentlessly to restore Title IX’s proper application and enforce it to the fullest extent of the law,” McMahon said in a statement.

The Education Department opened its investigation in February and concluded in April that Penn had violated Title IX, a 1972 law forbidding sex discrimination in education. Such findings have almost always been resolved through voluntary agreements. If Penn had fought the finding, the department could have moved to refer the case to the Justice Department or pursued a separate process to cut the school’s federal funding.

In February, the Education Department asked the NCAA and the National Federation of State High School Associations, or NFSHSA, to restore titles, awards and records it says have been “misappropriated by biological males competing in female categories.”

The most obvious target at the college level was in women’s swimming, where Thomas won the national title in the 500-yard freestyle in 2022.

The NCAA has updated its record books when recruiting and other violations have stripped titles from certain schools, but the organization, like the NFSHSA, has not responded to the federal government’s request. Determining which events had a transgender athlete participating years later would be challenging.

Copyright © 2025 WPVI-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Erika Kirk shares update after private in-person meeting with Candace Owens

Erika Kirk Reveals Insights from Exclusive Meeting with Candace Owens

On Monday, Erika Kirk revealed that she recently engaged in a meaningful…
Nick Reiner’s hotel room was covered in blood after his parents died: TMZ

Tragic Discovery: Nick Reiner’s Hotel Room Scene Unfolds After Parents’ Passing

In a shocking turn of events, Nick Reiner’s hotel room in Southern…
At least 10 dead after mass shooting during Hanukkah event on Australia's Bondi Beach

Revealed: Months-Long Intelligence Alert on Iranian-Linked Terror Threats Prior to Bondi Incident

Senior Israeli intelligence officials have disclosed that Australia received warnings months in…
Who is Nick Reiner? Rob Reiner's son arrested after his death

Who is Nick Reiner? Son of Late Filmmaker Rob Reiner Facing Legal Troubles After Passing

A 32-year-old man has been arrested following the discovery of his parents’…
New videos and photos released of Brown University shooting person of interest as manhunt continues

Manhunt Intensifies: New Footage Released of Brown University Shooting Person of Interest

The recent developments unfolded as law enforcement intensified their search efforts on…
Readers sound off on regard for nurses, consumer boycotts and Trump condoms

Unveiling Public Sentiments: Nurses’ Reverence, Boycott Buzz, and the Trump Condom Controversy

With the crisis over, so are promises to nurses Selden, L.I.: Half…
7 dead after small plane crashes near Toluca International Airport while attempting emergency landing

Tragic Plane Crash Near Toluca Airport Claims 7 Lives During Emergency Landing Attempt

In a tragic incident on Monday, a small aircraft attempting an emergency…
Struggling to pay Cook County property tax bill, some homeowners fighting Cook County assessor

Cook County Homeowners Challenge Property Tax Assessments Amid Rising Financial Strain

CHICAGO (WLS) — As the deadline for Cook County property tax payments…
Pentagon ‘Escalating’ Review of ‘Serious Allegations’ Against Mark Kelly

Pentagon Intensifies Investigation into Significant Allegations Against Mark Kelly

The Pentagon has announced an escalation in its investigation into serious misconduct…
Jacksonville police seek out other potential victims after rapist sentenced to prison

Jacksonville Police Urge Potential Victims to Come Forward Following Rapist’s Sentencing

In a chilling case that has come to light nearly four years…
Zelenskyy says peace proposals to end the war in Ukraine could be presented to Russia within days

Zelenskyy Teases Imminent Peace Proposals: A New Chapter in the Ukraine-Russia Conflict?

In Kyiv, Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that negotiations with U.S. officials…
'You will be caught': Family speaks after Jacksonville father killed outside Paxon Shopping Center

Justice Sought: Family Speaks Out After Tragic Loss of Father at Jacksonville’s Paxon Shopping Center

“We might not catch you today,” declared Corey Denmark’s family in the…