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Senate Hearing Raises Locker-Room Consent Concerns Over Trans Swimmer Lia Thomas
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Senate Hearing on Trans Athlete Locker-Room Consent
Senate Judiciary Committee member Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) questioned a witness during a hearing on fairness in women’s sports about whether Yale swimmers consented to sharing a locker room with Lia Thomas, a transgender swimmer who competed for the University of Pennsylvania after previously racing against Yale athletes. Hawley referenced the testimony of former Kentucky swimmer Riley Gaines, who described being forced to share a locker room with a biological male without consent.
Background on Lia Thomas and Prior Competition
Thomas, a biological male who identifies as transgender, entered national attention after defeating Gaines and other female competitors in collegiate meets. Her participation sparked debate over sex divisions in scholastic athletics, prompting legislative and judicial scrutiny, including a pending Supreme Court review of Title IX.
Official Statements & Responses
During the hearing, Kim Jones, co-founder of the Independent Council on Women’s Sports, confirmed that her daughter competed against Thomas in multiple meets during the 2021-2022 season. When asked if Yale swimmers were surveyed about comfort sharing a locker room with Thomas, Jones answered “no.” She added that swimmers were required to attend mandatory meetings where officials emphasized that decisions about intersex swimming rested with schools and leagues. Jones said athletes who wished to speak on the issue had to obtain prior clearance from coaches and athletic directors, describing the process as “enormous pressure” and “gigantic threats.”
Verbatim Quote
“Three years ago, Riley Gaines sat right where you’re sitting at a hearing in front of this committee, and she described for the committee what it was like to be forced to have a biological man in her locker room without her consent, forced to undress in front of him, forced to watch him undress in front of her, forced to then go compete with her — against her — in a totally unfair situation,” — Josh Hawley