University of Pennsylvania to remove trans athletes from women’s sports

‘Our commitment to ensuring a respectful and welcoming environment for all of our students is unwavering,’ Jameson said. ‘At the same time, we must comply with federal requirements, including executive orders, and NCAA eligibility rules, so our teams and student-athletes may engage in competitive intercollegiate sports.’

Whatever your personal take on the situation, Thomas’ records were in accordance with NCAA eligibility rules at the time. Having been stripped immediately after the change of rules, the process of having personalised apology letters sent out to other athletes at the time is incredibly isolating, embarrassing, and anything but ‘respectful’ of Thomas’ feelings.

The feeling of disregard may be mutual among some former contestants of Thomas, but there’s something about a single individual facing a deliberate act of marginalisation that feels uncomfortable whether you’re for the changes or not.

UPenn has agreed to right its wrongs, restore records to the rightful female athletes, and issue an apology to the women impacted by the man they allowed to compete as a woman.

Are pigs flying?

God bless @realDonaldTrump. pic.twitter.com/PZxcieyp7m

— Riley Gaines (@Riley_Gaines_) July 1, 2025

Trump’s disdain for the Trans community is known, but it’s disturbing to see national institutions complying without attempting to mediate or devise solutions to make sport more inclusive for trans athletes. The whole conversation centres around what trans athletes cannot do – it’s ostracising and cold, and completely reflective of the harsh and unwavering order from the top.

Government investment and appetite doesn’t extend beyond shutting athletes like Thomas out. Their future prospects and dignity are given no consideration. Plenty of collective thought goes into how to enforce eligibility bans, but there’s a complete void of ideation for what comes next.

The topic of gender in the US is arguably the most heated debate right now. Former constituencies have arguably leaned too far left, and Trump is definitely leaning too far right. The human element is being neglected in the name of suppressing the other side, and the objective is to be right instead of creating an environment where everyone is accommodated.

With the inevitable onslaught coming to trans athletes over the coming months, we hope that there is some attempt at genuine resolution and not merely placating either side of the argument. I’m not holding my breath, though.

The law is one thing, but let’s show a bit of humanity eh?