Former UPenn Swimmers File Landmark Lawsuit Against Ivy League and NCAA Over Transgender Participation

EXCLUSIVE: Grace Estabrook, Margot Kaczorowski, and Ellen Holmquist, former women’s swimmers at the University of Pennsylvania, have initiated a significant lawsuit against UPenn, Harvard University, the NCAA, and the Ivy League Council of Presidents. This legal action stems from their experiences of sharing a team with transgender swimmer Lia Thomas, who is not named as a defendant in the case.

Allegations of Title IX Violations

According to court documents obtained by Fox News Digital, the plaintiffs contend that Thomas’s eligibility to compete as a woman for UPenn infringed upon their Title IX rights. They assert that the NCAA’s 2010 policy permitting biological males to compete in women’s categories based on gender identity is fundamentally discriminatory.

The lawsuit claims that allowing Thomas to compete has resulted in injury to the female swimmers and contravenes federal law.

Emotional Trauma and Pro-Trans Ideology

The lawsuit elaborates on the personal experiences of the plaintiffs, detailing the profound emotional trauma they faced while sharing a team and locker room with Thomas. Each swimmer describes feeling repeatedly traumatized throughout this process.

Estabrook, Kaczorowski, and Holmquist allege that UPenn administrators imposed pro-trans ideology on them during Thomas’s admission to the team. They felt pressured to view their discomfort as rooted in a “psychological problem.”

According to the allegations, UPenn administrators suggested that any swimmer struggling to accept Thomas’s participation should seek counseling and support from the Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) and the LGBTQ center. They also extended an invitation to a program titled ‘Trans 101,’ conveying that dissent regarding Thomas’s participation indicated a psychological issue needing professional help.

Warnings Against Speaking Out

The allegations extend further, highlighting warnings from administrators against public dissent. The lawsuit notes statements from UPenn officials, cautioning that any vocal criticism of Thomas would lead to reputational damage characterized as transphobia, potentially hindering future employment prospects.

Introduction of Lia Thomas

Lia Thomas, a biological male, swam for UPenn’s men’s team from 2017 to 2020 as Will Thomas. The women swimmers were first introduced to Thomas by their coach, Mike Schnur, in the fall of 2019. After the initial introduction, they were told that Thomas would not share a locker room with them, a claim that was later found to be untrue.

By Fall 2021, Thomas began to practice and compete with the women’s team, leading to revelations that shook the female athletes. The lawsuit claims that upon returning to school, the swimmers discovered that Thomas would in fact be using the women’s locker room.

Kaczorowski recounts her shock upon entering the women’s locker room to find Thomas changing, expressing this troubling discovery resulted in an emotional confrontation with their coach, who allegedly admitted that he had no option but to allow Thomas’s participation.

Impact on Team Dynamics

In December 2021, the team held a meeting addressing Thomas’s presence, where members were informed that Thomas’s inclusion was “non-negotiable.” This led to a climate of fear among the swimmers regarding the consequences of voicing their concerns.

The lawsuit stresses that UPenn’s administration worked closely with both the Ivy League and the NCAA to ensure Thomas’s eligibility for the 2021-2022 women’s swimming season. Swimmers believed that opposing this inclusion could jeopardize their positions on the team.

Records and Responses

During the 2022 Ivy League Swimming Championships at Harvard, Thomas achieved first-place finishes in the 500-, 200-, and 100-yard freestyle events, setting pool and Ivy League records. This led to an uproar, as many felt the competition was inherently unfair. The lawsuit highlights that Harvard made no accommodations for athletes uncomfortable sharing facilities with Thomas.

Following these events, Riley Gaines, a female athlete who competed alongside Thomas, has also filed her own lawsuit against the NCAA, reflecting broader concerns surrounding the participation of transgender athletes in women’s sports.

Future Implications for Women in Sports

The controversy surrounding transgender athletes in women’s sports has raised critical questions in legislative chambers and among advocacy groups. NCAA President Charlie Baker addressed concerns regarding female athletes sharing teams with transgender individuals, stating that alternatives should be available for those not comfortable.

This complex situation continues to unfold, especially with impending changes in federal standards. President Donald Trump is poised to sign an executive order aimed at preventing transgender athletes from competing in girls’ and women’s sports, while the House of Representatives passed the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act on January 14, poised to alter funding for institutions allowing such participation.

The Ongoing Debate

The experiences of Estabrook, Kaczorowski, and Holmquist illustrate a larger national debate over gender identity and its implications in competitive sports. This lawsuit seeks not only accountability from UPenn, Harvard, and the NCAA but also aims to advocate for the rights and dignity of female athletes across various levels of competition.