Keely Cabatuan | Photo Editor
March 20, 2025
Last Monday the University of Pennsylvania found itself at the center of the storm after the Trump administration made the ultimate decision to suspend $175 million in federal funding because of the university’s policy that allows transgender women to compete in women’s sports. This decision was announced March 17th and has been a part of the continuing debate about fairness and inclusion in these sports.
Senior at San Clemente High School senior Charlie Goulet believed that, “taking away money and opportunities for the many as a means to discriminate the few is really sad.”
The situation came to a attention when Lia Thomas, a transgender swimmer at Penn, received national attention for her success in women’s swimming events. Supporters of the decision argued that the suspension was needed to in able to have a fair playing field for all athletes, while opponents claim it’s a discriminatory move targeting the transgender community, especially in light of the broader conversation about equal rights and inclusion.
Penn has been a longtime supporter of transgender rights with policies that especially align with the NCAA and Ivy League policies which permits transgender athletes to compete in sports based on their gender identity, as long as they meet certain hormone requirements. However, the Trump administration believes policies such as these make an unfair advantage, specifically in physically demanding sports. Penn has responded by standing firm, making sure to emphasize its dedication to diversity and inclusion, despite the financial blow.
University officials have stated that the suspension will not change their attitude. All they want is equal opportunities for all students, regardless of gender identity, which is such an important part of the university’s values. While the funding loss will definitely have an impact, Penn insists it will continue to fight for the rights of transgender athletes.
At its heart, this issue isn’t just about sports, it’s about how society values fairness and inclusion. Although the university are confronted with legal and political challenges, the overall result could influence how other universities handle issues that are similar. With transgender rights continuing to be a huge debate in the United States, the future of these policies remain unknown, and the debate will likely continue for a lengthy amount of time.
Leave a Reply