Transgender swimmer Lia Thomas declared support for the extremist leftist group Antifa this week. The athlete attracted headlines after dominating women’s college swimming competitions, despite being a biological male.
Thomas posted a photo on social media while dressed in a shirt that read “Antifa Super Soldier.” The Instagram photo is likely to spark controversy for the former University of Pennsylvania swimmer.
#Trans swimmer Lia Thomas, formerly William Thomas, has now embraced the #Trantifa branding in new photos posted on social media.
Trans violent militancy is the current focus of #Antifa. They believe that critics of trans ideology should be silenced, maimed or murdered. Some… pic.twitter.com/qlU0jQXlbK
— Andy Ngô 🏳️🌈 (@MrAndyNgo) July 17, 2023
The swimmer received significant accolades during Thomas’ time on the female team. The announced transition from male to female was met with glowing reports in media outlets. Furthermore, the college nominated Thomas for the NCAA “Woman of the Year” award.
Thomas quickly made headlines as the most prominent transgender swimmer in the country. The athlete racked up a number of victories over biological female opponents.
A number of Thomas’ teammates privately expressed their reservations about having a biological male on the team, though statements since make it clear that they were expected by the college not to speak up.
The experience led to fellow swimmer Riley Gaines speaking out about the experience, including the expected silence about Thomas’ inclusion on the team.
Included in the complaints was Thomas exposing male genitalia in the locker room.
“That’s not something we were forewarned about, which I don’t think is right in any means, changing in a locker room with someone who has different parts,” Gaines said.
Thomas smashed a number of college records prior to losing to another biologically-male swimmer.
Gaines has also said that other athletes and college officials privately voice their support for her cause.
“Males are hurdling themselves forward in national rankings stealing scholarships, titles and opportunities from women who have worked their whole lives for those accomplishments,” she said.
Gaines has traveled the country speaking about the team’s experience with a biological male, including one incident at San Francisco State University in which Gaines was barricaded in a room by student protesters, requiring police intervention.
The college’s president described the event as “deeply traumatic for many in our trans and LGBTQ+ communities, and the speaker’s message outraged many members of the SF State community.”
