Feminists Against Lia Thomas in NCAA Finals Feel 'Politically Homeless'
Republicans pledging to prevent allowing transgender women to compete on women's teams, with many Democrats embracing transgender athletes, supporting efforts to increase inclusion.However, some self-identified feminists have taken issue with Democratic support for Thomas and other transgender swimmers.A group of feminist activists protested outside the women's NCAA swimming championships on Thursday—where Thomas became the first-ever transgender NCAA Division I champion by winning the women's 500-yard-freestyle.They told Fox News the Democratic Party's support of transgender athletes makes them feel "politically homeless.""With the whole Biden election, I began to feel more and more disenfranchised from Democrats as a party, and I began to feel more and more that they did not represent my beliefs or my views," Amy Sousa, one of the protesters, told the news station.Another protester, who was not identified by name, added: "I always voted as a liberal, from 18 to 39.
I registered Republican in 2020 after two politicians told me they did not want my vote because of my stance on the rights for women and girls."Still, many others have defended Thomas' inclusion on the women's team.Olympian and Stanford University swimmer Brooke Forde, who lost to Thomas, said in January she did "not have a problem racing against Lia at NCAAs this year.""I believe that treating people with respect and dignity is more important than any trophy or record will ever be," she said, adding that she has "great respect for Lia."Republican-led legislatures in various states have passed laws meant to restrict transgender athletes from competing on the team that corresponds with their gender identity.
