Trans swimmer Lia Thomas loses 'Woman of the Year' bid to biological female — and leftists suddenly act like it doesn't matter to them



Transgender swimmer Lia Thomas earlier this month was nominated by the University of Pennsylvania to be in the running for the NCAA's "Woman of the Year" award for 2022.

But the controversial swimmer's bid came to end Monday when the NCAA announced its conference selections — and named Columbia University fencer Sylvie Binder as its pick for the Ivy League, Fox News said.

Now the field of award candidates has narrowed to 151, and the cable network said the Woman of the Year Selection Committee will choose 10 nominees from each division, and the top 30 will be announced in October.

Binder is a biological female, and conservatives like Republican U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee couldn't have been happier that Thomas is out of the running:

\u201cLia Thomas lost the bid for NCAA\u2019s \u2018Woman of the Year\u2019 \u2014 maybe they finally figured out she isn\u2019t a woman?\u201d
— Sen. Marsha Blackburn (@Sen. Marsha Blackburn) 1658937723

"Lia Thomas lost the bid for NCAA’s ‘Woman of the Year’ — maybe they finally figured out she isn’t a woman?" Blackburn tweeted.

Readers of TheBlaze will recall that Blackburn in March asked then-U.S. Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson during her confirmation hearings if she could define the word "woman." Jackson said she couldn't because she's "not a biologist."

There was a reason behind Blackburn's question, as Thomas — a biological male — had been making big waves in the pool at the time, destroying biological female opponents on the way to becoming an Ivy League champion and the No. 1-ranked woman collegiate swimmer in the country.

In fact, just a few days before Blackburn grilled Jackson, Thomas won the NCAA women's 500-yard freestyle amid deepening controversy.

Along the way, leftists were in near lockstep support for Thomas displacing biological female swimmers — some in humiliating fashion — despite the left's traditional support for women.

But after Thomas was displaced in the running for "Woman of the Year" — by a biological female, no less — there hasn't seemed to be much outrage coming from the left. Hmm.

How is the left reacting?

In fact, annoyed reactions to Blackburn's tweet indicate leftists suddenly don't seem to care that their trans icon is out of the "Woman of the Year" running.

Here's one example: "Or maybe winning one swim meet wasn't that impressive and not the end of society as some made it out to be," one commenter told Blackburn. "Onto real issues that actually matter... What are you doing to address the rampant gun violence?"

Deflection, anyone?

The hilariously transparent "Lia who?" hits just kept on coming — as if commenters were working from the same list of talking points:

  • "What have you done so far to combat inflation or mass shootings?" another lefty whined. "While Democrats are busy actively working hard to solve these issues in our country, you and your party are busy getting outraged by masks, vaccines, pronouns, other people’s gender identities, and drag shows."
  • "Could you focus on actual issues?" another commenter parried. "Don't be so insecure about how you identify."
  • "Well I guess we can all rest easier now that you're certainly on top of such pressing issues facing our country," another user declared. "Did you accept Rudy Giuliani's call to circumvent a free and fair election on Jan. 6?"
  • "Thanks for staying on top of critical issues for your constituents," another commenter noted.
  • "What have you done for the American people in the past 5 years, Marsha?" another user asked. "I've only seen you supporting a racist Russian operative, spewing hate, and making bad hairstyle choices."
  • "Marsha, what does Lia Thomas receiving an award (or not) from the NCAA have to do with your 'work' as a United States Senator?" another commenter wondered.

Now, that's just sad.

NYT: Doctors say Lia Thomas has unfair advantage over biologically female swimmers



Two doctors have told The New York Times that they believe transgender NCAA swimmer Lia Thomas — who was able to swim for the University of Pennsylvania in women's events due to having taken NCAA-mandated testosterone suppressants — has an unfair advantage over biologically female swimmers.

What are the details?

Mayo Clinic Dr. Michael Joyner and sports physiologist Ross Tucker told the outlet that Thomas' very status as a transgender woman is what gives her a vast advantage over biologically female swimmers.

Joyner and Tucker added that 22-year-old Thomas has an overall biological advantage even though she took the hormone-suppressing drugs for the required time.

According to the report, Joyner said that since girls typically grow at a faster rate when compared to boys of the same age, they generally have a competitive advantage in their early years. Puberty, however, is far more than a great equalizer: "You see the divergence immediately as the testosterone surges into the boys," Joyner insisted. "There are dramatic differences in performances.”

He added that while "social aspects to sport" exist, physiology and biology "underpin it."

"Testosterone is the 800-pound gorilla," he insisted.

Tucker doubled down on Joyner's remarks and added, "Lia Thomas is the manifestation of the scientific evidence. The reduction in testosterone did not remove her biological advantage."

What else is there to know about this?

Thomas in March told Sports Illustrated that competitive swimming is something she's always wanted to do.

“I’m a woman, just like anybody else on the team,” Thomas told the sports magazine. “I’ve always viewed myself as just a swimmer. It’s what I’ve done for so long; it’s what I love. I get into the water every day and do my best.”

She added, "I just want to show trans kids and younger trans athletes that they’re not alone. They don’t have to choose between who they are and the sport they love.”

Iowa aquatic center permitted biologically female teen to walk around topless, use men's, boys' facilities because she identifies as male: Report



An Iowa public pool complex in Pella reportedly permitted a biologically female teen to walk around the facility topless and enter the men's and boys' changing facilities because she was said to have told them that she identifies as male, the Iowa Standard recently reported.

The incident was said to have taken place on June 16.

What are the details?

The Standard reported, "According to two people at the aquatic center, the incident did indeed happen and the aquatic center policy allows it to happen."

An assistant manager at the facility told the outlet that the policy says that "anyone can wear the clothing necessary in line with their gender identity rather than biological sex."

The policy, according to the manager, was set by the city council.

A local resident told the outlet, "When brought to the facility's attention, they explained there was nothing they could do. That state law protects this biological female, allowing her to walk around indecently exposing herself to all the families enjoying the facility. The facility is afraid if they act and require her to cover herself, they will face legal backlash."

"I find it appalling that this would actually be state law," the resident added. "If someone were to take a picture, it wouldn't be viewed as some boy at the pool in his swim shorts. It would be a topless photo of a biological female and it would be child pornography."

The center's general rules are available on the City of Pella's website, but do not contain any information about gender identity whatsoever. A portion of the rules read, “The Pella Aquatic Center is a family-friendly facility. Inappropriate behavior, language, or attire are not permitted and will be grounds for refusing admission or removal from the facility without a refund."

What else?

On Tuesday, KNIA-FM reported on a statement that the City of Pella issued in regard to the issue at the Pella Aquatic Center.

“The City of Pella has received concerns related to the swimming attire of a patron who recently visited the Pella Aquatic Center," the statement read. "The City has reviewed the matter with legal counsel and no further action will be taken. The City considers this matter concluded. The City of Pella operates its facilities consistent with state and federal law, which prohibits discrimination against any patron or participant on the basis of race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, religion or disability."

On Wednesday, the station reported that a special Tuesday meeting of the city council heard several comments from area residents.

"The meeting was at capacity in the building, with multiple individuals following along outside and more than 200 watching the online stream," the station's report noted, pointing out that "several residents and regular visitors" of the Pella Aquatic Center spoke out against the policies in place at the pool.

"Mayor Don DeWard said in response to one citizen that the facility adheres to a 2007 state law outlawing discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity, and there is no specific City Code or policy in place as it relates to the swimming facility," the report continued. "Many in attendance demanded immediate action from the city council, but Councilmembers Lynn Branderhorst and Bruce Schiebout asked for patience as they sort out what — if any, options exist to change guidelines at the Pella Aquatic Center.