Lia Thomas Shouldn't Have to Defend Her Right To Compete in Women's Sports

Lia Thomas is often referenced for initiating a dialogue about "fairness" in women's sports. But now, she is speaking for herself, opening up about what it's like to be the first known transgender athlete to win a division one national title. The good, the bad, and the downright ugly.

Thomas was originally admitted to the University of Pennsylvania on the men's swim team. However, her sophomore year, her gender dysphoria left her depressed and suicidal. "I was barely going to classes; I could really barely get out of bed, and I said, 'I can't live like this anymore,'" Thomas told ABC's Juju Chang. "I didn't feel like I was a boy, I was like, 'This isn't me, this isn't who I am.'"

She started hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in May 2019, and the difference was undeniable. Although she began to lose muscle mass and became much weaker on a physical level, her mental state had completely shifted for the better. She started her senior year competing with the women's team, and was ready for a fresh start. Despite having followed the NCAA guidelines that require a year of hormone therapy in order to change gender categories, however, some felt Thomas should not be allowed to compete against cisgender women.

Those opposed to the switch included 16 of her own teammates and some of their parents, who wrote letters arguing that Thomas's mere existence posed a threat to women's sports. Although they added that they wholeheartedly supported Thomas's transition, it's difficult to see how one could truly be an ally for trans women while simultaneously arguing that their livelihood is damageing to cisgender people — even under the altruistic guise of "fairness." As Thomas put it: "If you support trans women and they've met all the NCAA requirements, I don't know if you can say something like that. Trans women are not a threat to women's sport." This is something that should go without saying; unfortunately, trans athletes' right to compete has been the subject of intense debate and legal challenges.

"I knew there would be scrutiny against me if I competed as a woman – I was prepared for that. But I also don't need anybody's permission to be myself and to do the sport that I love," Thomas said. "Trans people don't transition for athletics. We transition to be happy and authentic and our true selves." Watch the full interview below to hear more of Thomas's thoughts in her own words.

EXCLUSIVE: "Trans people don't transition for athletics. We transition to be happy and authentic and our true selves."

Transgender swimmer Lia Thomas speaks out to @JujuChangABC about backlash and future plans to compete. https://t.co/UFQOgMNBLj pic.twitter.com/FJcmyEChi9

— Good Morning America (@GMA) May 31, 2022