Former University of Pennsylvania swimmers file lawsuit against alma mater over transgender athlete Lia Thomas’s participation, igniting debate on fairness in women’s sports.
At a Glance
- Three former UPenn swimmers sue university, NCAA, and Ivy League over Lia Thomas’s participation
- Lawsuit alleges emotional distress, violation of privacy, and unfair competition
- Plaintiffs demand removal of Thomas’s records and declare her ineligible for women’s races
- Suit claims university pushed pro-trans ideology and intimidated female swimmers
- Case coincides with broader national debate on transgender athletes in women’s sports
Former Teammates Take Legal Action
Three former University of Pennsylvania swimmers have taken a bold step by filing a lawsuit against their alma mater, the NCAA, and the Ivy League. Grace Estabrook, Margot Kaczorowski, and Ellen Holmquist allege that competing alongside transgender athlete Lia Thomas caused them emotional distress and limited their athletic opportunities. The lawsuit, which does not name Thomas as a defendant, claims that the university’s decision to allow Thomas to compete on the women’s team violated federal laws by disregarding their privacy and fair competition rights.
The plaintiffs are seeking to have Thomas’s records expunged and to have him declared ineligible for women’s races. This legal action takes place within the larger national conversation regarding the place of transgender athletes within women’s sports, a topic that has gained significant attention in recent years.
Three former University of Pennsylvania swimmers launched a lawsuit to vacate the records of transgender athlete Lia Thomas. Attorney Bill Bock, who represents the swimmers, alleged the "pressure campaign" defied common sense and harmed female athletes.https://t.co/WU2jk6Gean
— KATV News (@KATVNews) February 5, 2025
Allegations of Intimidation and Coercion
The lawsuit paints a picture of a university environment where female swimmers were allegedly pressured to accept Thomas’s participation and discouraged from voicing their concerns. According to the legal filing, the university administration took an aggressive stance in promoting what the plaintiffs describe as a pro-transgender ideology.
“The UPenn administrators told the women that if anyone was struggling with accepting Thomas’ participation on the UPenn Women’s team, they should seek counseling and support from CAPS and the LGBTQ center,” the lawsuit states.
The plaintiffs claim they were warned against speaking out, with the threat of being labeled as transphobic and potentially harming their future job prospects. This alleged atmosphere of intimidation is a central point in the lawsuit, which accuses the defendants of creating a culture that forced women to deny biological reality.
Privacy Concerns and Locker Room Issues
One of the most contentious issues raised in the lawsuit involves locker room access. The plaintiffs allege that they were initially told they wouldn’t have to share a locker room with Thomas, but this policy changed. The lawsuit describes an incident where Kaczorowski reportedly found Thomas—who has full male anatomy, intact—in the women’s locker room, causing discomfort and privacy concerns.
“When UPenn’s women’s swimmers returned to school in the fall of 2021, they were shocked to discover that Thomas was being allowed to use the women’s locker room at UPenn and would be allowed to use the women’s locker room at swim meets,” the lawsuit states.
The swimmers claim that their coach, Mike Schnur, acknowledged the situation was problematic but felt powerless to act. “I know it’s wrong but there’s nothing I can do,” Schnur allegedly told the team, according to the lawsuit.
Broader Implications and Support
This lawsuit is not an isolated incident but part of a larger movement questioning the inclusion of transgender athletes—men—in women’s sports. The legal action is backed by the Independent Council on Women’s Sports (ICONS), which also supports a similar lawsuit by former University of Kentucky swimmer Riley Gaines. The case seeks to create a class-action claim for 206 female athletes from the 2022 Ivy League Swimming and Diving Championships, potentially broadening its impact.
“I never expected my Ivy League education to teach me that women must silently accept losing their opportunities and privacy,” Grace Estabrook said.
The lawsuit coincides with recent political developments, including a proposed Executive Order by President Donald Trump to ban biological men from competing in women’s sports, and the House’s passage of the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act. These actions underscore the complex and contentious nature of the debate surrounding transgender athletes’ participation in women’s sports, a topic that continues to challenge societal norms and athletic policies across the nation.
