The University of Pennsylvania has agreed to ban transgender women from competing in women’s sports teams as part of a major agreement with the United States Department of Education under the Donald Trump administration.
This decision follows a federal civil rights investigation triggered by public outcry over the participation of Lia Thomas, a transgender swimmer who competed for the university during the 2021-2022 NCAA season. Thomas made headlines as the first openly transgender athlete to win a Division I national title, but her inclusion in women’s competitions sparked widespread legal and political debate in the U.S.
According to the agreement, the University of Pennsylvania will now enforce a strict biological definition of sex in compliance with a Trump-era interpretation of Title IX — the landmark U.S. law that bans sex-based discrimination in education. The university also agreed to restore records and awards to biological female athletes and issue letters of apology to swimmers affected by the 2022 season.
“Thanks to the leadership of President Trump, UPenn has agreed both to apologize for its past Title IX violations and to ensure that women’s sports are protected at the university for future generations,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon.
The Department of Education had launched the investigation in April 2025 after receiving several complaints that the university’s decision to allow Thomas to compete had denied fair opportunities to female athletes.
The resolution includes additional measures. The university will now implement sex-based rules for access to locker rooms and bathrooms for athletes and cut ties with any sports bodies or associations that do not follow the federal government’s interpretation of Title IX.
University President Dr. J. Larry Jameson admitted that while the university followed NCAA guidelines when Thomas competed, it failed to consider the full impact on other athletes.
“Our commitment to ensuring a respectful and welcoming environment for all of our students is unwavering. At the same time, we must comply with federal requirements,” Jameson said in a statement.
He also acknowledged that some female athletes felt sidelined by the policy and confirmed that official records for the women’s swimming team would be revised to reflect biological sex.
The policy change has been welcomed by conservative activists and athletes who had called for reforms. Riley Gaines, a former NCAA swimmer who tied with Thomas in a 2022 event, praised the decision as a win for women’s rights in sports.
“It is my hope this demonstrates that educational institutions will no longer be allowed to trample upon women’s civil rights,” said Gaines.
White House spokesperson Liz Huston also weighed in, saying the university’s earlier stance violated civil rights protections for women.
“The University of Pennsylvania repeatedly violated civil rights laws by allowing men to compete in women’s sports. President Trump will always protect women’s sports,” she said.
This agreement comes at a time when the Department of Education has launched more than 20 investigations into similar Title IX complaints involving transgender athletes. The resolution with UPenn is expected to set a precedent for other U.S. universities.
The deal also led to the lifting of previous sanctions on UPenn, including the suspension of \$175 million in federal contracts. The Trump administration had made restoration of funding conditional on policy changes.
The timing of the announcement coincides with the Education Department’s declaration of June as “Title IX Month,” meant to honor women’s achievements and ensure equal rights in education and athletics.
