Three former University of Pennsylvania women’s swimmers, Grace Estabrook, Margot Kaczorowski, and Ellen Holmquist, have filed a lawsuit against their alma mater, Harvard University, the NCAA, and the Ivy League Council of Presidents, alleging emotional trauma caused by transgender swimmer Lia Thomas competing on their team. The lawsuit, unveiled by Fox News, demands the Ivy League to expunge Thomas’ records, claiming violations of Title IX laws and harassment by the authorities involved.
The controversy surrounding Thomas came to a head when President Donald Trump signed an executive order banning biological men from participating in women’s sports, just a day after the lawsuit was filed. The former swimmers accused school officials of pushing a pro-trans ideology and suppressing their voices by threatening them with labels such as transphobe, impacting their future job prospects.
Emotional Trauma and Violation of Title IX
The lawsuit detailed how the UPenn administrators advised the swimmers to seek counseling if they had trouble accepting Thomas on the women’s team. Kaczorowski and Holmquist, who graduated in 2024, along with Estabrook, a 2022 graduate, claimed they were repeatedly emotionally traumatized by Thomas’ presence on the team, insisting it violated their rights under Title IX. The swimmers also alleged that school officials organized a mandatory “Trans 101” session, insinuating that objecting to a “trans-identifying male” on the team implied psychological issues.
The former swimmers also accused the school of creating a culture of intimidation that coerced young women to ignore biological differences. They further claimed that their opportunities, privacy, and safety were jeopardized by Thomas’ inclusion on the women’s team, leading to a litany of concerns about fairness and equity in competitive sports.
Implications and Legal Action
Thomas, who competed for the UPenn Men’s Swimming and Diving team from 2017 to 2020, transitioned to the women’s team in 2019, setting new records in the 500-, 200-, and 100-yard freestyle races. The lawsuit sought to declare Thomas ineligible for women’s races and vacate any records she set during her tenure. It also accused school administrators, the NCAA, and the Ivy League of conspiring to ensure Thomas’ eligibility, highlighting the controversy surrounding transgender athletes in competitive sports.
Despite assurances that Thomas would not share a locker room with the women’s team, the school later reversed its policy, prompting a confrontation between Kaczorowski and coach Mike Schnur. Schnur allegedly admitted to the impropriety of the situation but claimed his hands were tied, fearing repercussions if he spoke out against Thomas using the women’s facilities. The unfolding drama culminated in Trump’s executive order, which aimed to protect the integrity of women’s sports by restricting male participation and preserving the spirit of Title IX regulations.
The legal battle underscores the complexities and ethical dilemmas surrounding transgender athletes in competitive sports, raising critical questions about fairness, inclusivity, and gender identity in athletic competition. As the case unfolds, it will undoubtedly set a precedent for future policies and regulations governing the participation of transgender individuals in women’s sports, shaping the landscape of collegiate athletics for years to come.
