Former teammate recalls humiliation of Lia Thomas undressing 18 times per week.
A Former University of Pennsylvania Swimmer Exposes Uncomfortable Locker Room Situation
In a shocking revelation, a former University of Pennsylvania swimmer for their women’s team, Paula Scanlan, spoke out about the distressing experiences she and her teammates endured. They were forced to undress in the same locker room as biological male Lia Thomas on a regular basis. When they voiced their concerns, they were met with dismissive responses and offered psychological counseling.
Unfair Advantage and Disregard for Female Athletes
Scanlan highlighted the incredible athletic prowess of Thomas, who consistently outperformed women’s world records in freestyle events. Despite this, Thomas only ranked in the top 500 on the men’s team. The disparity in performance raised serious questions about fairness and the impact on female athletes.
The women of the University of Pennsylvania’s swim team were subjected to the uncomfortable presence of Lia, a 6’4″ biological male, with male genitalia, during their changing routines. This occurred a staggering 18 times per week. Some girls resorted to changing in bathroom stalls or using the family bathroom to avoid this distressing situation. When they approached the athletic department with their concerns, they were met with resistance and told that Lia’s presence was non-negotiable. The university even suggested psychological services to help the women become comfortable with undressing in front of a male.
Gaslighting and Disregard for Women’s Concerns
Scanlan expressed her frustration with the university’s response, stating that the women were made to feel like the problem rather than the victims. Their feelings and concerns were dismissed, and they were expected to conform and remain silent. The university’s actions amounted to gaslighting and fearmongering, prioritizing the feelings and identity of a male over the well-being and comfort of female athletes.
WOMEN’S SPORTS ACTIVIST PAULA SCANLAN:
“We were told that Lia swimming and being in our locker room was a non-negotiable, and we were offered psychological services to attempt to reeducate us to become comfortable with the idea of undressing in front of a male.” pic.twitter.com/pA42el4J78
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) July 27, 2023
Thomas Accuses Critics of Transphobia
In April, Lia Thomas responded to criticism from women athletes by accusing them of being “transphobic” but too afraid to admit it. Thomas argued that the traditional understanding of gender, where men are seen as men and women as women, was rooted in “patriarchal ideas.”
During a podcast conversation with former NCAA swimmer Schuyler Bailar, who identifies as a man, Thomas defended participation in women’s sports. When asked about a letter sent to the NCAA by parents of Thomas’ teammates, expressing concerns about fairness, Thomas dismissed their viewpoint. Thomas emphasized the importance of being fully supported as a woman and accused critics of using feminism as a cover for transphobic beliefs.
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