“Breaks My Heart”: Voicing Against Biden Administration’s Proposal, Swimmer Lia Thomas Urges America to Save Trans Kids’ Future

About a month remains until the Biden administration’s plans to update Title IX. Established in 1972, the revolutionary law bans sex-based discrimination in public schools, colleges, and universities that receive federal funding. However, NCAA swimming champion Lia Thomas has voiced her concerns about the proposed change to the law on social media. The U.S. Department of Education revealed that “schools would not be permitted to adopt” blanket bans on transgender athletes. 

However, in their facts sheet, the Department of Education also states that at “high school and college level, the Department expects that sex-related criteria that limit participation of some transgender students may be permitted.” The Department states that such limitations would apply with keeping “fairness in competition,” in mind. In her Instagram video, Thomas raised concerns about this particular update.

Lia Thomas the proposed changes only solve part of the problem

Earlier, Lia Thomas uploaded a video on Instagram wearing a t-shirt that read, “Trans athletes belong in sports.” In the video, the former Penn State swimmer talked about the proposed change to Title IX in detail. She began by speaking about how sports helped her grow.

“I started swimming when I was five years old. It has taught me so much, has given me so many opportunities to learn, grow, develop, and connect with my peers,” Thomas said. However, the Division One swimmer said she wouldn’t have gotten such opportunities “If I didn’t have access to athletics.” Thomas added, “That’s why it breaks my heart to see trans kids across the country lose out on these opportunities.”

The transgender athlete supported part of the proposed rule change. “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 the high school and college levels, under the guise of competitive fairness,” said the former college athlete.

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Thomas acknowledged that the proposed rule is a “good start,” but it’s “not enough.” While she raised her concerns against some specifics of the proposed regulatory changes to Title IX, Thomas said there was still time to make a change. “Luckily, this rule is not final. We have a 30-day period to urge the Biden administration to amend the rule,” she said.

She said that “all trans kids deserve the opportunity to compete,” and urged her fellow Americans to join her in amplifying the voice of trans athletes across the nation. However, only time will tell if any further amendments are made to the proposed rule change.

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