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EXCLUSIVE Former University of Pennsylvania swimmer Grace Estabrook was among the young women sharing a pool and locker room with transgender swimmer Lia Thomas during the contentious 2021-22 season.
Starting in 2019, when news broke that Thomas would join the team, Estabrook faced pressure from university administrators not to oppose the situation. She reported that officials suggested her career aspirations could be at risk if she voiced her concerns, even implying that her discomfort stemmed from a potential “psychological problem.”
During this time, Estabrook witnessed the media portray Thomas as a civil rights leader, with Thomas receiving accolades such as a nomination for the NCAA Woman of the Year award. However, Estabrook and two of her former teammates now find themselves embroiled in a lawsuit against UPenn, the Ivy League, and the NCAA. This legal action follows changing public sentiment on the issue.
This shift in public opinion is evident in recent data, which indicates that a significant majority of Americans oppose the inclusion of trans athletes in women’s sports. Following a series of developments, including President Donald Trump’s executive order addressing this issue, the NCAA has revised its policies accordingly.
Despite these changes, many Democratic leaders continue to advocate for trans inclusion in women’s sports, leaving those who have experienced similar situations to question their motivations.
Estabrook expressed her disappointment regarding the ongoing advocacy for policies she believes undermine women’s sports and the welfare of female athletes. She stated, “That’s just really depressing. I just don’t know why anyone would want to perpetuate abuse to women on large scales like this. I think that’s why we are doing what we’re doing. It is crucial to establish a legal precedent that ensures this never happens again.”
For Estabrook, her time at UPenn has been punctuated by uncomfortable experiences. She described how her locker was just feet away from Thomas’s, often forcing her into corners for a semblance of privacy.
“I would kind of back into a corner that had low visibility and just try to change as quickly as I could,” Estabrook recalled. Some teammates found it easier to change in bathroom stalls to avoid discomfort.
Reflecting on these moments, she recognized how they created an atmosphere of constant fear and anxiety. She noted, “We were the ones that were forced into hiding, it was very uncomfortable… I just don’t have a safe environment here anymore, not only physically but emotionally and psychologically.”
This environment took an immense toll on her mental state and disrupted her ability to focus on swimming. The stress from this situation compounded with media scrutiny left a lasting impact on her experience.
Estabrook articulated frustration with the media’s depiction of Thomas. She emphasized how some articles and reports presented Thomas as a groundbreaking figure while completely disregarding the sentiments of athletes like herself.
“All of the media I remember seeing or reading at the time was celebrating Thomas as this groundbreaking figurehead of the transgender community. It felt like it was a celebration being forced upon us,” Estabrook added, expressing her feelings of alienation during a time she should have felt supported.
The 2022 Ivy League championships marked a pivotal moment for Estabrook. She hoped for a ruling declaring Thomas ineligible to compete but was disappointed when the Ivy League allowed Thomas to participate. Ultimately, Thomas broke pool records in all individual events.
The controversy surrounding Thomas intensified during the 2022 NCAA championships when Thomas tied with Riley Gaines, a former University of Kentucky swimmer. This tie would later inspire Gaines to advocate for women’s sports and raise awareness about the implications of trans policies in athletics.
“I was just so grateful for her bravery,” Estabrook expressed, referencing Gaines’s efforts to speak out, which fueled her own resolve to advocate for fairness in sports.
Recent political developments have offered some renewed hope for Estabrook and like-minded athletes. After pledging to ban trans athletes from women’s sports, Trump quickly enacted the “No Men in Women’s Sports” executive order following his election.
Seeing this promise fulfilled has reinforced Estabrook’s beliefs. She describes the moment as encouraging, stating, “I was very excited to hear that and even more excited when that became a reality last week so quickly after he took office. It’s just very encouraging to see that we have a president who is just so supportive of us.”
Estabrook’s lawsuit, which she has filed with former teammates Ellen Holmquist and Margot Kaczorowski, aims to revoke all of Thomas’s records and accolades as a swimmer. Alongside this effort, Trump’s Department of Education is investigating potential Title IX violations at UPenn and advising the NCAA to discard Thomas’s accomplishments claimed under the women’s category.
Voices Amplified The experiences of athletes like Grace Estabrook shine a light on a contentious debate that has far-reaching implications. As advocates rally for fairness in sports, the journey for recognition and justice continues.
