Conservative commentator Candace Owens has once again ignited controversy by demanding that transgender swimmer Lia Thomas be barred from competing in women’s sports.
Owens, known for her outspoken views on gender and politics, made her stance clear in a recent statement, asserting that Thomas' participation in women’s competitions is unfair and undermines the integrity of female athletics.
Owens has been a vocal critic of transgender athletes competing in women’s categories, arguing that it creates an uneven playing field. She believes that allowing transgender women who were born male to compete against biological females disregards years of progress in women’s sports.
“Lia Thomas must be banned from women’s sports!” Owens declared, emphasizing her view that Thomas’ participation is unjust.
Owens insists that biological differences between men and women give transgender women an inherent advantage in competitions, regardless of hormone treatments or transition status.
Her comments reflect a growing debate over fairness in athletics, with many arguing that transgender athletes should have separate categories or compete based on their biological sex.
Owens has previously criticized organizations like the NCAA for allowing transgender women to compete against biological females, calling it an attack on women’s rights.
Lia Thomas, a former University of Pennsylvania swimmer, made headlines when she became the first openly transgender athlete to win an NCAA Division I championship in 2022. Her victory in the 500-yard freestyle event sparked national debates on whether transgender women should be allowed to compete in female sports categories.
Critics, including Owens, claim that Thomas had an unfair advantage due to her biological development as a male before transitioning. Supporters, on the other hand, argue that Thomas followed all NCAA guidelines, underwent hormone therapy, and had every right to compete as a woman.
Since her victory, Thomas has remained a focal point in discussions about gender and sports, with various states and sports organizations revising policies to address the inclusion of transgender athletes.
Owens’ call for a ban aligns with broader efforts by conservative groups and lawmakers to prevent transgender women from competing in female sports. Several states, including Texas and Florida, have enacted legislation restricting participation based on biological sex.
These laws have faced backlash from LGBTQ+ advocacy groups, who argue that they discriminate against transgender individuals.
At the federal level, the Biden administration has opposed blanket bans on transgender athletes, advocating instead for case-by-case evaluations. However, figures like Owens continue to push for stricter rules, citing concerns over fairness and women’s rights.
Sports organizations are also divided on the issue. While some, like the NCAA, allow transgender athletes under specific hormone requirements, others, like World Athletics and World Aquatics, have implemented more restrictive policies.
Owens supports the latter approach, urging all sports bodies to follow suit.
As expected, Owens’ remarks have sparked strong reactions from both sides of the debate. Supporters praise her for standing up for female athletes, arguing that allowing transgender women in women’s sports erodes fairness.
Many conservative voices on social media echoed her sentiments, calling for immediate action to prevent what they see as the destruction of women’s sports.
Critics, however, accuse Owens of promoting transphobia and using Thomas as a political talking point.
LGBTQ+ activists argue that banning transgender athletes outright is discriminatory and ignores the complexities of gender identity and inclusion in sports.
Some also point out that the number of transgender athletes in competitive sports remains relatively small and question whether their impact is as significant as Owens and others claim.
The issue of transgender athletes in women’s sports is unlikely to be resolved anytime soon. As more transgender athletes seek to compete at higher levels, sports organizations will continue to face pressure from both sides to either tighten or relax their policies.
Candace Owens’ demand to ban Lia Thomas from women’s sports is part of a broader movement pushing for stricter regulations. Whether her call will lead to further policy changes remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the debate over transgender participation in athletics is far from over.
