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6d ago

Trump Administration Finds UPenn Violated Title IX Over Transgender Athlete Participation

The Education Department demands UPenn restore awards to female athletes and apologize, threatening Justice Department referral if noncompliance persists.

Mar 19, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Penn Quakers swimmer Lia Thomas swims the 100 free at the NCAA Swimming & Diving Championships at Georgia Tech. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports/File Photo
FILE - University of Pennsylvania signage is seen in Philadelphia, May 15, 2019. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)
Trans swimmer Lia Thomas received a wave of abuse after she competed in a women's competition in 2021. (Getty)
United States Department of Education logo and U.S. flag are seen in this illustration taken April 23, 2025. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo

Overview

  • The U.S. Department of Education ruled that the University of Pennsylvania violated Title IX by allowing transgender swimmer Lia Thomas to compete on its women’s team and use female-only facilities.
  • UPenn has been given 10 days to restore awards, records, and honors to female athletes affected by Thomas' participation and issue formal apologies, or face referral to the Department of Justice.
  • The Education Department previously froze $175 million in federal funding to UPenn in March over its decision to allow Thomas to compete in women’s sports.
  • The ruling follows President Trump’s February 2025 executive order banning transgender women and girls from participating in female sports, prompting the NCAA to revise its policies to align with federal directives.
  • Broader Title IX investigations into other institutions and a Justice Department lawsuit against Maine highlight ongoing federal enforcement of restrictions on transgender athletes in women’s sports.