The Trump administration is pausing $175 million in federal funding to the University of Pennsylvania over its transgender athlete policies. The White House accused the university of forcing women to compete with men in sports, which goes against the administration’s executive order prohibiting transgender women and girls from competing in female sports. The order stated that having trans women and girls compete in women’s sports is demeaning and unfair to biological women. The University of Pennsylvania gained national attention in 2022 when transgender student athlete Lia Thomas competed on the women’s swim team and won an NCAA championship. Thomas faced backlash and misgendering throughout her time competing. Following investigations into Thomas’ participation, the Trump administration paused the university’s funding. The administration also planned to work with sports governing bodies to ensure compliance with the executive order. The order also targeted trans student athletes more broadly, as well as government recognition of only two sexes and restrictions on gender-affirming care for trans people under 19. Critics argue that these measures amount to a campaign to prevent transgender people from functioning in society, particularly targeting young people in schools. In response, legal challenges have been mounted against these policies, with some temporarily blocked by courts.
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