Transgender athlete reacts to Lia Thomas win and nationwide backlash

The battle over a historic NCAA win by a transgender woman continues.

Gov. Ron DeSantis declared Sarasota Native Emma Weyant the winner of the women's 500-meter freestyle swim, even though she came in second place. First place went to Lia Thomas.

"That takes grit that takes the termination and she's been an absolute superstar and she had the fastest time of any woman in college athletics," DeSantis said during a press conference in Wesley Chapel Tuesday.

[sandywinter]

I'm insulted as a woman! This is insane! I feel so sorry for the other women who's sport and opportunities are taken away from them! Congratulations to Emma Wyant, who was the REAL winner.

[vernvern]

I'm a 230 pound man that played competitive hockey for 20 plus years and never came close to going pro, but now I've been inspired to transition and identify as a female and compete in women's hockey and completely dominate and destroy the 110 female competition competition, hahaha just kidding I'm not an insane liberal that lacks normal basic logic and moral common values, this is is not controversial, it's plain insanity and God bless DeSantis for hitting the nail on the head

[edward]

So is it OK for a sighted person to identify as blind and set records in the Special Olympics?

[softballdadjoselynulloaclass]

Why aren’t transgender men dominating men sports??? 🦗 I don’t want my daughter who is a stud softball player competing against a man or god forbid losing her scholarship to a man.

[Jamalbias]

This is ridiculous! This is a full blooded man vs women! Idc what he claims to be, the facts are he was born a man and he needs to compete with other men. What he does outside of sports is his business!

[jesusislord]

I dont care for Desantis at all, but, I totally support and applaud him on this. I don't care what Zach or anyone else says, this is not right, Thomas is a man, and doesn't deserve to be declared the winner.

[CarlAquaForce]

Honestly, I applaud Lia Thomas. She really has got balls to come in 462nd place and then compete with girls and dominate.

[arentube]

"Assigned female at birth" do they think the doctor just flips a coin?

[femalism]

Liar Thomas is a man and a cheat. Emma won. 2nd is the new first.

[slowblinkz]

12 months of hormone therapy while we suffer periods and cramps for years and years.. and dont bet me started with pregnancy, childbirth, pcos and menopause.. no matter how much hormone control he does, he will never be a woman physically ever.

[ArmantoAlex]

Yep, Emma is 💯 the winner! This whole issue is just unbelievable and I think Lia is disgusting for competing this way knowing how truly unfair it is…this will put more hate and discrimination against transgenders and though I don’t condone it, it’s understandable!!! You can explain it away all you want but the truth is she is still biologically a man, with all the extra power and strength that affords the male sex! Look at Thomas’ body - his shoulders - that’s a biological man’s body!!!!

[eliongaro]

I respect transgenders and I am for their rights, but this is too much. Enough is enough. We cannot sit here and tolerate _everything_ because we are too scared to speak up. It's no hatred, it's common sense. There needs to be drawn a red line once and for all.

[deniseatkinson]

its soul crushing for those women who know they don't stand a chance he has a male body and male strength and towers over most of his competition - those are the fact

[grosporcmartin]

It’s not even about the sport.. it’s about making them feel good!

[IzaakCha]

As this point, Usain Bolt could just say he is a woman and they would let him crush the female competition

[dawnhauton]

Can't believe this commentator used the phrase "assigned at birth", Lia Thomas is still a man in every physical way HE is a MAN. !!!!

[igloozoo]

I am gay who grew up with gender dysphoria and I consider Lia to be a selfish cheat.

[quienvive]

"Athletes who were assigned female at birth..." I think the reporter meant to say "Women".

[Kiss_lynda]

Ron is 1000% right. These men are awful

[Nicaraguayo]

Not a fair fight. We have to protect women. Clearly we have to protect women.