Late last month, the Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights decided that the University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) violated Title IX protections for female student athletes. The office has ordered the university to remove records from any men who have accomplishments in women's sports.
That singles out William "Lia" Thomas, as he is the only one.
The Associated Press clarifies that his awards will not go his former competitors like University of Kentucky swimmer Riley Gaines, whom Thomas tied for fifth place in the 200-yard freestyle race at the 2022 NCAA Division I Women's Swimming and Diving Championships.
Gaines said at the time that the NCAA appeared to prioritize the "transgender" athlete over others. Even though she tied with him, he was awarded the trophy, and she was asked to pose on the podium as the sixth-place winner.

"This really has to do with the controversy around Lia Thomas, although the communications around this announcement did not mention him specifically," says Zachary Marschall, editor-in-chief of Campus Reform. "He was a UPenn swimmer and the most famous male swimmer competing in women's swimming a few years ago."
This decision comes on the heels of the Trump administration halting $175 million in federal funding to UPenn for its transgender athlete policies.
"This is just common sense," Marschall submits. "There's really not much to say about the story because why should men win titles and records in women's categories? That makes as much sense as Ron Swanson winning Pawnee Woman of the Year."
"I would say it's absurd that this is even controversial," the college news editor adds. "This is a black-and-white issue."
Still, he is not certain the university will comply.
Banning males from women's sports
The Pennsylvania Senate has voted to ban males from competing in women's sports.
If the House approves the measure, it will go to Governor Josh Shapiro (D) for his signature.
"We are so excited that the state Senate in Pennsylvania has passed the Save Women's Sports Act, which would protect a fair and equal playing field for women and girls in Pennsylvania," comments Alexis Sneller of the Pennsylvania Family Institute.

The measure, which aims to protect competitive fairness, athletic opportunity, and safety for female athletes across the commonwealth, will ensure athletic teams designated for women are reserved for biological females in Pennsylvania's K–12 and collegiate sports.
This week's vote marks the second time the GOP-controlled Senate has passed it. An earlier attempt met then-Gov. Tom Wolf's (D) veto pen in 2022.
"I think this just proves that the movement has more momentum now than ever," Sneller tells AFN. "That [veto] didn't stop us before, and we are not going to stop until every girl in Pennsylvania has the opportunity that she deserves."
Since 2020 alone, and in Pennsylvania alone, Sneller says girls and women have had more than 66 missed opportunities across the board, including awards and placements in swimming, running, fencing, and other sports.
"This is an issue that is continuing to happen," she asserts. "Women are continuing to lose out … and so we need this legislation now."
The bill passed, 32-18, with five Democrats crossing party lines to join with all 27 Republicans in voting "yes."