"This rule is a good start," said Thomas. "However, it is not enough during this time of intense anti-trans backlash."
Transgender former University of Pennsylvania swimmer Lia Thomas has spoken out in support of Biden’s proposed changes to Title IX that would prohibit an overarching ban on biological males competing in women’s sports.
"I started swimming when I was five years old. It has taught me so much, it has given me so many opportunities to learn, grow, develop, and connect with my peers, opportunities that I wouldn’t have gotten if I didn’t have access to athletics," said Thomas.
Thomas, a biological male, made headlines last year after winning the Ivy League and NCAA championships in the women’s division after competing for years as a man.
"That’s why it breaks my heart to see trans kids across the country lose out on these opportunities. The Department of Education has proposed a new rule for Title IX regarding transgender athletes. This rule would prohibit blanket bans on transgender kids, especially in grades K through eight, however, it would not prohibit discrimination against trans kids in high school and college levels under the guise of competitive fairness," Thomas added.
The Department of Education stated earlier this month that schools would have to take into consideration the age and level of competitiveness of sports in schools before banning biological males from competing against women, stating that in younger grades, the focus is more on team building and skill learning rather than the competition focus of high school and college-level sports.
"This rule is a good start," said Thomas. "However, it is not enough during this time of intense anti-trans backlash. The trans community needs explicit protections from discrimination in order to live our lives freely and equally.
"Luckily, this rule is not final. We have a 30-day period to urge the Biden administration to amend the rule and grant equal protection for all transgender kids because all trans kids deserve the opportunity to compete and play in the sports they love without compromising who they are."
"Join me in commenting on this proposed rule and demanding equal protection for all transgender athletes. All trans kids deserve the opportunity to be themselves and participate."
The video of Thomas speaking was posted to Twitter by former University of Kentucky swimmer Riley Gaines who competed against Thomas at the NCAA championships last year.
"Under the guise of competitive fairness? Are you really trying to say you would have won a national title against the men? Does it not break your heart to see women lose out on these opportunities?" Gaines questioned. "The Biden Admins proposed bill denies science, truth, and common sense."
"This take is selfish and shows an utter disregard for women. The Biden Administration is actively and aggressively working to pass laws that erase decent and fair treatment for women in sports," she added, tagging Biden’s Twitter account.
Following college, Gaines has become a prominent opponent of allowing biological males to compete in women’s sports, and was most recently attacked at San Francisco State University by transgender activists over her stances.
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