Lia Thomas, the transgender swimmer who became a household name for her participation in NCAA women’s swimming events, is once again at the center of a heated controversy—this time in connection with the upcoming Pan American Games. Thomas was recently removed from the girls’ locker room while submitting her registration for the 2027 Pan American Games, set to begin on July 11, 2027. The incident, which quickly gained attention, has sparked renewed debates over transgender athletes’ participation in women’s sports and the fairness of such inclusion.

Thomas, who transitioned from male to female during her college years, has been at the center of a broader discussion about the participation of transgender athletes in gender-specific competitions. Her previous performances at the University of Pennsylvania, where she swam for the women’s team, drew both praise and controversy. Supporters hailed her as a trailblazer for transgender rights, while critics argued that her past as a male swimmer gave her an unfair advantage over cisgender women, despite undergoing hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

The latest controversy began when Thomas arrived at the Pan American Games registration to submit her form for consideration to compete in the next Games. As she approached the female athletes’ locker room to complete the necessary paperwork, she was reportedly told by event organizers that she was not permitted to use the women’s facilities. Despite having completed her registration process, Thomas was informed that her presence in the female athletes’ space was not allowed, an order that seemed to be rooted in her status as a transgender woman.

At one point, Thomas allegedly confronted a staff member, asking, “William, you think we’re mad?” A brief exchange ensued, and the incident was caught on video, which quickly circulated across social media platforms. The controversy reignited the debate over whether transgender women should be allowed to compete in women’s sports and access spaces like locker rooms designated for female athletes.

For Thomas, this was yet another chapter in her already complex career. Since her collegiate swimming days, she has been the subject of intense public scrutiny. On one hand, many have argued that she should be allowed to compete as a woman, seeing her inclusion as a victory for transgender rights and equality. On the other hand, a vocal group of critics asserts that transgender women, especially those who have previously competed in male sports, may have inherent physical advantages that make the playing field unequal.

The incident at the Pan American Games comes at a time when the debate surrounding transgender athletes in competitive sports is at a boiling point. The growing acceptance of transgender athletes in mainstream sports has been met with resistance, particularly in women’s competitions. Critics argue that despite the requirements of hormone therapy, transgender women like Thomas may retain physical attributes—such as muscle mass, size, and cardiovascular strength—gained from years of male puberty, which they believe could provide an unfair advantage in high-performance events.

For transgender rights advocates, the removal of Thomas from the locker room was a clear form of discrimination. Many believe that transgender women, like any other athletes, should be allowed to compete in sports that align with their gender identity. They argue that inclusion is a matter of human rights, and that the treatment of Thomas underscores the difficulties transgender individuals face in mainstream society.

“This is a case of blatant discrimination,” said one advocate. “Lia Thomas, like any other athlete, deserves to be treated with respect and dignity. The message sent by this incident is that transgender athletes are not welcome in women’s spaces, even when they follow all the rules and procedures.”

On the flip side, many who oppose transgender athletes in women’s competitions argue that the decision to exclude Thomas from the locker room was necessary to ensure fairness in women’s sports. They contend that female athletes, who often compete in categories with strict physical requirements, are at a disadvantage when transgender women—who may have retained certain physiological advantages from male puberty—are allowed to compete. In their view, allowing transgender women to compete with cisgender women creates an uneven playing field, potentially undermining the integrity of the competition.

The upcoming 2027 Pan American Games, which will start on July 11, 2027, are expected to be a key event in this ongoing debate. As one of the largest multi-sport competitions in the Western Hemisphere, the Pan American Games will bring together athletes from across the Americas to compete in a range of disciplines, including swimming, track and field, and athletics. As the Games approach, the question of whether transgender athletes should be allowed to compete in women’s categories will continue to dominate conversations surrounding fairness, inclusivity, and equity in sport.

The controversy over Lia Thomas’s exclusion from the locker room underscores the complexity of this issue. On one hand, her case highlights the challenges faced by transgender athletes who are navigating a world that is still grappling with questions of gender identity and equality. On the other hand, it raises critical questions about how to ensure that women’s sports remain fair and competitive for all athletes, regardless of their gender identity.

As the 2027 Pan American Games draw closer, it’s likely that this issue will only become more pronounced. Sports organizations, including the Pan American Sports Organization (PASO), will need to carefully consider how to balance the rights of transgender athletes with the need to protect fairness in women’s sports. How the Pan American Games and other international competitions handle this evolving issue will have lasting implications for the future of competitive athletics.

For now, Lia Thomas’s experience at the Pan American Games serves as a reminder that the conversation surrounding transgender athletes is far from over. With the 2027 Games on the horizon, both sides of this debate will likely continue to push for policies that reflect their beliefs, making the road ahead uncertain but crucial for the future of sports and inclusion.