The wins just keep rolling in for the conservative movement. On July 1, the University of Pennsylvania agreed to dramatically change their athletics policy and begin correcting the harms against women in sporting events. This policy shift came as part of a settlement to a federal civil rights case brought against the school by the U.S. Education Department after the school allowed biological male William “Lia” Thomas to compete on the female swimming team, putting dozens of female athletes, including Riley Gaines, at a disadvantage.

“It is my hope that today demonstrates to educational institutions that they will no longer be allowed to trample upon women’s civil rights, and renews hope in every female athlete that their country’s highest leadership will not relent until they have the dignity, safety, and fairness they deserve,” Gaines, who tied with Thomas at the NCAA championship, shared.

UPenn agreed to the following measures as part of the case’s resolution:

• William “Lia” Thomas has officially been stripped of all records and titles achieved while competing in female athletic programs.
• The University will restore all Division I records and titles achieved by female athletes who were usurped by Thomas.
• The University will issue formal apologies to female athletes who “experienced a competitive disadvantage or experienced anxiety because of the policies in effect at the time.”
• The University “will not allow males to compete in female athletic programs” and agreed to adopt “biology-based” definitions of male and female.

UPenn’s website reflected the changes the day following the settlement. Female athletes now hold the top times for the 100, 200, and 500 freestyle events that Thomas previously held, although the page notes that “Competing under eligibility rules in effect at the time, Lia Thomas set program records in the 100, 200 and 500 freestyle during the 2021-22 season.”

“Thanks to the leadership of President Trump, UPenn has agreed both to apologize for its past Title IX violations and to ensure that women’s sports are protected at the University for future generations of female athletes,” Secretary of Education Linda McMahon wrote following the announcement.

UPenn’s athletic policy now stands in accordance with the NCAA’s guidelines, which were updated in February following President Trump’s “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports” Executive Order. Since then, the administration has stayed true to its word:

“We’re putting every school receiving taxpayers’ dollars on notice that if you let men take over women’s sports teams or invade your locker rooms, you will be investigated for violations of Title IX and risk your federal funding,” Trump noted at the signing.

We believe that Trump’s promise, paired with overwhelming public opposition to men competing in female sports, is what caused UPenn to finally cave and restore sanity to their athletics programs. CNN reported earlier this year that 79% of Americans oppose allowing biological men to compete in women’s sports.

“As a former UPenn swimmer who had to compete against and share a locker room with a male athlete, I am deeply grateful to the Trump Administration for refusing to back down on protecting women and girls and restoring our rightful accolades. I am also pleased that my alma mater has finally agreed to take not only the lawful path, but the honorable one,” former UPenn swimmer Paula Scanlan stated.

Last month, following a whirlwind conclusion to the US Supreme Court’s 2024-2025 term, the Justices agreed to hear two pivotal cases on this issue in their upcoming fall session. Little v. Hecox and State of West Virginia v. B.P.J both involve allowing states to uphold laws protecting female athletes from biological males competing in their sports. We will certainly keep a close eye on these cases and update you as they progress through the Court.