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Outrage after trans swimmer Lia Thomas gets UPenn's nomination for NCAA’s ‘WOMAN OF THE YEAR’ award

Lia Thomas is one of the 577 graduating female student-athletes nominated by their respective schools for the award

The University of Pennsylvania has nominated the transgender swimmer Lia Thomas for the NCAA’s 2022 'Woman of the Year' award. According to the NCAA, Thomas is one of the 577 graduating female student-athletes nominated by their respective schools for this award. Earlier this year, Thomas won the 500-yard freestyle at the 2022 NCAA Women’s Division I Swimming and Diving Championships. However, on June 19, The international swimming federation for swimming — FINA, effectively banned transgender women from competing in women’s events.

The new policy issued by FINA requires transgender competitors, such as Lia Thomas herself, to have completed their transition by the age of 12 to swim in a women's meet. Moreover, the athletes would also have to prove to the organization that they have suppressed their testosterone level since then. This means that transgenders who went through male puberty will NOT be allowed against biological women. The federation also proposed an "open competition category" in the new policy. 

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The award that Thomas is up for, as explained by a statement issued by NCAA, "Recognizes female student-athletes who have exhausted their eligibility and distinguished themselves in their community, in athletics, and in academics throughout their college careers. Each year, NCAA's member schools are encouraged to celebrate their top graduating female student-athletes by nominating them for the NCAA Woman of the Year Award." However, this nomination has sent people into a frenzy and the complaining has been non-stop since then. 

Internet reacts to Lia Thomas' nomination by UPenn

One user who was upset with the nomination wrote, "Based on what? I was born a woman and don’t get an award for that. Let’s pretend he really fully became a woman, what’s so great about him/her now?. I do respect them as human beings but why would they be better than me." Another angry user said, "Lis Thomas is a man, not a woman. The University of Pa should be ashamed and held accountable for their demented and obvious confusion. Lia Thomas nominated by University of Pennsylvania for NCAA 'Woman of the Year' award."

One user called the whole ceremony a disgrace and said, "Lia Thomas the male swimmer pretending to be a woman so he could win swim meets, has been nominated for the NCAA woman of the year award. It was bad enough he took real women's swimming awards and now this major slap in the face. Women should boycott the ceremony it's a disgrace." Another user wrote, "UPENN nominated Lia Thomas for NCAA "Woman of the Year"... That's like nominating Alec Baldwin to be the nation's spokesperson for workplace safety."

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One user blamed Lia Thomas' nomination for the exclusion of other female athletes saying, "Reminder that Lia Thomas is a male who identifies as a woman and who trashed women swimming records. Apparently this is ‘inclusion’? But what about the women who have now been excluded from the category as a result?" Another user wrote, "Lia Thomas nominated by University of Pennsylvania for NCAA 'Woman of the Year' award This is a slap in the face to all natural born WOMEN athletes. #Disgusting"

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.