Transgender swimmer Lia Thomas hits back at critics after backlash: “I’m Not A Man” Full story below

Lia Thomas, a transgender swimmer who competed for the University of Pennsylvania, has faced significant public scrutiny regarding her participation in women’s collegiate swimming. In response to critics, Thomas has consistently asserted her identity and right to compete, stating, “I’m a woman, so I belong on the women’s team. Trans people deserve that same respect every other athlete gets.”

Thomas began hormone replacement therapy in May 2019 and adhered to NCAA guidelines, which required transgender women to undergo 12 months of hormone therapy before competing in women’s events. Despite meeting these requirements, her participation sparked debates about fairness in women’s sports. Addressing these concerns, Thomas emphasized, “Trans women are not a threat to women’s sports.”

In addition to her athletic pursuits, Thomas has expressed a desire to serve as a role model for transgender youth, aiming to show them that they can live authentically without choosing between their identity and the sport they love.