Aye, mateys! 'Tis tale of UPenn swimmer appearin' 'fore the Congress, spillin' beans 'bout Lia Thomas ordeal and her 2016 scurvy assault.
2023-07-27
Arrr! Avast ye scurvy dogs! Me hearties, I be tellin' ye a tale 'bout a lass named Paula Scanlan, a swimmer o' great prowess from the land o' NCAA Division 1. She did bear witness 'afore the House Judiciary Subcommittee, speakin' 'bout the matter o' Lia Thomas and UPenn.
Former NCAA Division 1 swimmer Paula Scanlan testified before a House Judiciary subcommittee, speaking about her experience and the impact of transgender swimmer Lia Thomas in the locker room. Scanlan, who now works as a spokesperson and adviser for the Independent Women's Forum, shared her concerns during a hearing on "gender-affirming care for minors." She revealed that university officials disregarded the concerns of the women's swimming team at the University of Pennsylvania and told them that Thomas' presence was non-negotiable.Scanlan highlighted that Thomas performed well on the women's team, becoming an NCAA champion in the 500-yard freestyle. However, she expressed the discomfort of undressing in front of Thomas, a biological male, and the lack of support from the athletic department. The university's response suggested that the women were the problem, and they were offered psychological services to become comfortable with undressing in front of a male.
Scanlan also discussed the retraction of an op-ed she wrote, emphasizing the destruction of free speech when discussing women's spaces and the discrimination against women. As a survivor of sexual assault, Scanlan explained the greater issue that Thomas' presence created for her and other women with similar experiences.
The hearing aimed to address the dangers and due process violations of gender-affirming care and the role of parents in making those decisions. Scanlan competed on UPenn's swim team during the 2018-2019 and 2021-2022 seasons, overlapping with Thomas' championship win in 2022.