This month, the University of Pennsylvania, the Ivy League school that sparked national outrage by allowing a biological male, “Lia” Thomas, to dominate women’s collegiate swimming, reversed course.
In a remarkable settlement with the Trump administration, UPenn agreed to comply with Title IX, stop prioritizing transgender ideology over women’s rights, and issue personal apologies to the female athletes whose awards and opportunities were stolen.
This victory for women’s sports did not happen in a vacuum. Shortly after taking office, President Donald Trump signed two executive orders: “Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government” and “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports.” These directives made clear that under federal law, “sex” refers to biological reality—male and female—not subjective gender identity.
The second order specifically declared that it is the policy of the United States to oppose male participation in women’s sports, and instructed the Department of Education, in coordination with the Attorney General, to enforce this standard through Title IX. Just one day after issuing that order, the Trump administration launched a formal Title IX investigation into UPenn for its decision to allow Lia Thomas, a male athlete, to compete in women’s swimming. That investigation culminated in a July 2025 resolution, requiring UPenn to correct the record, apologize to female athletes, and commit to Title IX compliance moving forward.
At Maryland Family Institute, we welcome this significant course correction and the restoration of biological truth to women’s sports.
As our Legislative Counsel Jonathan Alexandre put it, “This is an important victory for truth in government and society. Congress should act now to build on this truth by legally establishing biologically-based definitions of sex.”
What This Win Really Means
This settlement wasn’t just a legal formality. UPenn took four key steps, which can be summed up with four A’s:
Acknowledged the harm it caused.
Apologized to the women affected.
Adjusted the official record and medal count to reflect biological reality.
Agreed to comply with Title IX moving forward.
This is not a small matter. For years, schools, corporations, and cultural institutions have insisted that gender ideology is a moral imperative. Yet here we see that when the truth is persistently spoken by courageous individuals and a principled administration, it can prevail.
UPenn’s retreat reveals that its supposed commitment to “gender justice” was never as deep as its pockets. Faced with the possibility of losing tens of millions in federal funding, the university suddenly rediscovered its capacity for common sense.
We are thankful to see biological truth vindicated in this case. We are thankful for the protection of women that this case represents, and for the common sense which prevailed.
This moment should encourage every pro-family Marylander. When ordinary citizens stand firm in the truth, especially when backed by leaders in government willing to act, real victories are possible. As Michael Geer, the President of our sister organization, Pennsylvania Family Institute, wrote in his recent email commentary, “These are the very challenges that should not discourage us but rather motivate us to continue standing up for what is right, regardless of the odds or the expected outcome.”
The Challenge for Maryland
Here in Maryland, we have our own opportunity to make that stand.
Every year, Delegate Kathy Szeliga has faithfully introduced her Protecting Girls Sports Act. This is a simple, commonsense bill that would ensure female athletes in Maryland compete on a level playing field. Sadly, this bill has been blocked each time by the majority leadership in Annapolis who would rather appease radical gender activists than defend our daughters.
But in light of UPenn’s reversal, the tide may be turning.
This case also reveals just how shallow the university’s so-called “values” were. For years, we were told that allowing men into women’s sports was about “human rights,” “dignity,” “inclusion,” and “justice.” But UPenn’s sudden about-face suggests otherwise. When push came to shove, they chose money over ideology.
Why did they fold? Likely because deep down, everyone knows the truth: boys cannot become girls, and girls cannot become boys. No amount of ideology, legal threats, or institutional pressure can make that untrue. And when we build policies on a lie, people get hurt, especially young women whose athletic dreams are sacrificed on the altar of political correctness.
We should also take heart in what this means for the future.
A Call for Courage
For too long, we’ve been told that “history is inevitable”. Activists argue that those of us who hold to timeless truths must get out of the way as the world marches “forward.” That lie has been used to silence and sideline anyone who dares question the prevailing narrative. But UPenn’s reversal shows that history isn’t inevitable. Culture can change and shift back to objective truth and God’s design. Institutions can change. And yes, even elite universities can reverse course.
The only thing required is for courageous people to show up and stand up. Yes, people like you. Speak the truth. Keep showing up. Keep advocating for our daughters. Refuse to back down. Because when enough people do, change happens.
This moment should inspire a renewed commitment to truth in Maryland. In 2026, Delegate Szeliga will reintroduce her bill. Let’s not miss this opportunity. If UPenn can acknowledge reality, surely Maryland can too.
Our daughters deserve it. And the truth demands it.
Let’s be the ones who, in the face of cultural confusion and institutional cowardice, choose principle over popularity, and courage over compromise.
