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Monika Burzynska Reflects on Teammate Lia Thomas Amid Policy Changes
Monika Burzynska, a former swimmer at the University of Pennsylvania, has shared her experience as a teammate with Lia Thomas. This experience gained particular significance as the university recently committed to adopting a policy that upholds biological definitions of male and female athletes. Burzynska recounted how she found herself assigned to the locker next to Thomas when the transgender athlete joined the women’s swim team in 2021.
Burzynska had previously known Thomas, who then went by Will Thomas, as a member of the UPenn men’s swimming team. Reflecting on their interactions, Burzynska described Thomas as not particularly social. Their contact had been limited to brief, passing conversations.
When Burzynska’s team learned that Thomas would be transitioning to compete with the women’s team for the 2021-22 swimming season, she thought the athlete had already completed their studies at UPenn. However, the reality of sharing a locker room with a biological male forced her to reevaluate her views.
Navigating the Locker Room Dynamics
As the season commenced and Thomas became a regular presence in the women’s locker room, Burzynska adjusted her behavior accordingly. She often retreated to a corner to change or timed her clothing changes to coincide with Thomas showering. Eventually, she began to utilize the stalls or a family locker across the hall to preserve her privacy.
“Around Lia, I wasn’t going to risk anything,” Burzynska stated, highlighting her discomfort with the situation.
Validation and Fairness Restored
This past week, UPenn announced an apology to its female swim team members, alongside the rescindment of Thomas’ program records. The decision also included a shift towards a new policy emphasizing traditional definitions of male and female. For Burzynska, this news brought immense relief.
“It gave me a deep sense of peace and validation,” Burzynska expressed. “Not only for me, but for all the girls on the team and all women in the sport world. This decision restored a sense of fairness that had been lost. Women’s records should belong to women, and protecting the integrity of women’s sports is essential.”
Shifting Perspectives on Transgender Issues
Despite identifying as someone with conservative values, Burzynska had initially grown up feeling compassion for transgender individuals. However, her perspectives shifted significantly due to her experiences in the locker room alongside Thomas.
“It’s one thing to have discussions about these issues from a distance, but facing them personally changed my outlook completely. You feel sympathy for someone clearly struggling with their identity, yet at the same time, you realize that fairness is at stake,” Burzynska reflected.
Growing Up in a Liberal Environment
Originally from Colonia, New Jersey, Burzynska was accustomed to liberal values during her upbringing. When she arrived at UPenn, she found the atmosphere even more left-leaning. Many campus buildings and dormitories prominently display the LGBTQ pride flag, which contributes to a strong pro-LGBTQ sentiment.
Burzynska remarked, “The LGBTQ presence on campus is significant. It can encourage students who may be confused about their identity to embrace it more openly.”
Pressure to Remain Silent
Burzynska, along with her female teammates, reportedly faced pressure from UPenn administrators to remain silent about their feelings regarding Thomas’s participation. Allegations surfaced that administrators warned female swimmers against expressing concerns, suggesting that doing so could lead to lifelong reputational damage.
“The university officials told us that speaking out could taint our reputations with transphobia, making it difficult to find employment in the future,” Burzynska explained.
Three former teammates of Thomas, Grace Estabrook, Margot Kaczorowski, and Ellen Holmquist, have since initiated a lawsuit alleging ongoing pressure from the university.
The Challenge of Conservative Values at UPenn
Burzynska spoke candidly about her history of facing criticism for her conservative beliefs, especially in a predominantly liberal academic setting. From an early age, she had been denounced for her ideological stances.
Her experience at UPenn was no different. She noted, “Every university seems to lean left these days, and I accepted that my views wouldn’t be welcomed due to my deeply held beliefs grounded in faith.”
A Frustrating Conversation with the Coach
Burzynska recounted an ultimately unproductive conversation with her head coach, Mike Schnur. During an elongated meeting, she voiced her concerns about sharing the locker room with Thomas.
“He acknowledged all my concerns. However, he firmly stated that it wouldn’t deter me from my senior year. He pointedly remarked that Lia was going to change in the locker room regardless of my feelings,” Burzynska recalled.
Despite her instinct to speak up, she ultimately felt it was futile and never pursued further discussions with Schnur.
Counseling Sessions and Moves Forward
Burzynska also described encounters with administrators who encouraged her teammates to attend pro-LGBTQ counseling sessions. She labeled these meetings as “brainwashing” and chose not to participate.
While Burzynska has moved on from her time at UPenn, she recognizes that the ordeal left a mark on her. She expressed gratitude that discussions are underway regarding women’s sports rights and that authorities are investigating the situation.
“It is commendable that President Trump’s administration took the women’s rights at Penn seriously,” Burzynska noted.
As the conversation surrounding transgender athletes and women’s sports continues, many are left wondering about the future of fair competition and the implications of policy changes in sports.
