Former swimmer Monika Burzynska recounted her challenges of sharing a locker with Lia Thomas, a transgender athlete who joined the University of Pennsylvania’s women’s swim team in 2021 after transitioning from a male to female identity. Burzynska, who had previously known Thomas as Will Thomas on the men’s team, initially believed Thomas had already graduated when the decision was made to transition into the women’s team. Upon the start of the 2021-22 season, Thomas became a regular presence in the women’s locker room, prompting Burzynska to develop routines to maintain privacy during changing times. She eventually opted for changing in the stalls or a family locker adjacent to the team’s facilities.
Burzynska’s account emerged as UPenn made its formal decision to revise its stance on women’s sports, rescinding Thomas’ records and adopting a policy strictly defining biological genders for athletic participation. This decision, she said, brought a sense of peace and validation that had been missing. Burzynska stressed the importance of preserving the integrity of women’s sports, stating that protecting the fairness of the competition remains critical, particularly in light of debates over gender inclusion.
Despite the recent resolution, Burzynska noted that the effects of her experience lingered, particularly as she reflected on her shift from compassionate views toward transgender individuals to a more critical perspective. She described how the situation prompted a rethinking of her understanding of gender identity, especially after being placed directly next to Thomas in a locker room setting. This led to a realization that what seemed like an isolated issue could have a direct impact on her personal and athletic life. Her comments also highlight her growing conservative leanings, influenced by her upbringing in a traditionally liberal environment and the challenges she faced at the university.
Burzynska further described her experience of being coerced into silence by UPenn administrators, who allegedly pressured the female swimmers to avoid public discourse on Thomas’ participation. According to the lawsuit filed by other former teammates, the university’s officials warned that speaking out would damage their future careers and reputations. Burzyns, however, said she never attended the required sessions, which she referred to as ‘brainwashing meetings.’ Despite the emotional toll, she now sees the resolution as a positive outcome, crediting Donald Trump’s administration for addressing the issues and reinforcing the importance of protecting women’s sports rights.