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
Yamaha pulling out of California after half a century: HQ headed to Georgia

Yamaha Relocates Headquarters to Georgia After 50 Years in California: A Strategic Move for the Future

After nearly five decades of calling Orange County home, Yamaha Motor Corp.…
Blood rain falls across southern Europe

Unusual ‘Blood Rain’ Phenomenon Sweeps Across Southern Europe

Southern Europe is currently experiencing a rare meteorological event known as “blood…
Chicago Bear news: NFL team's plan for possible Hammond stadium near Wolf Lake drawing environmental groups' attention

Chicago Bears’ Proposed Hammond Stadium Sparks Environmental Concerns: What’s at Stake Near Wolf Lake?

HAMMOND, Ind. — The Chicago Bears are in the midst of deciding…
Tulsi Gabbard, CIA at war over bombshell Havana Syndrome evidence linking mystery illness to Russia

Tulsi Gabbard and CIA Clash Over New Evidence Linking Havana Syndrome to Russia

WASHINGTON — Tensions are escalating within the US intelligence community over compelling…
Emir Balat, Ibrahim Kayumi, men who brought explosives to protest outside NYC Mayor Mamdani mansion, inspired by ISIS: complaint

NYC Bomb Plot Foiled: Men Inspired by ISIS Target Mayor Mamdani’s Mansion with Explosives

In a troubling development outside New York City’s mayoral residence, two men…
Iran issues chilling promise to new supreme leader on a missile as it launches fresh attacks

Iran Sends Stark Message with Missile Launch Amid Renewed Attacks

In a bold demonstration of allegiance, Iran has showcased a personalized missile…
Tankers to resume normal movement in Middle East in 'a few weeks' at worst, energy sec says, ending oil surge

Middle East Tanker Operations Set to Normalize, Energy Secretary Predicts End to Oil Price Surge in Coming Weeks

The price of oil has surged in response to the Trump administration’s…
Mamdani refuses to condemn alleged ISIS-loving bomb tossers

Mamdani Remains Silent on Controversial Allegations Involving ISIS Supporters

On Monday, Mayor Zohran Mamdani chose not to explicitly denounce two individuals…
NYPD confirms object thrown at protests near Gracie Mansion in Manhattan was an IED

Authorities Identify Explosive Devices Found at NYC Demonstration Near Gracie Mansion

City officials in New York disclosed on Sunday that two devices recovered…
Jack Schlossberg ramps up name-dropping of grandpa JFK to raise campaign dough

Jack Schlossberg Leverages JFK Legacy to Boost Campaign Fundraising Efforts

Jack Schlossberg, a congressional hopeful from Manhattan, is increasingly drawing on the…
Pennsylvania state police trooper shot and killed during traffic stop; suspect also dead

Tragic Pennsylvania Traffic Stop: State Trooper and Suspect Fatally Shot in Deadly Encounter

In a tragic turn of events on Sunday night, a Pennsylvania State…
Savannah Guthrie spotted in NYC as search for missing mother enters sixth week with few answers

Exclusive: Savannah Guthrie’s NYC Sighting Amidst Intensifying Search for Missing Mother

TUCSON, Ariz. — Savannah Guthrie, co-host of the “Today” show, has returned…