Fact Check: Transwomen are not women according to the University of Pennsylvania.

Fact Check: "Transwomen are not women according to the University of Pennsylvania."

What We Know

The claim that "Transwomen are not women according to the University of Pennsylvania" stems from a recent agreement between the University of Pennsylvania (Penn) and the U.S. Department of Education regarding the participation of transgender athletes in women's sports. This agreement was influenced by changes in federal interpretations of Title IX, which prohibits sex discrimination in education.

In July 2025, Penn announced that it would limit the participation of transgender women in its women's athletic programs, aligning with new federal guidelines that define "male" and "female" based on biological sex. This decision followed a civil rights investigation concerning the participation of transgender swimmer Lia Thomas, which had raised significant controversy and debate within the university and beyond (source-1, source-2).

Penn's president, J. Larry Jameson, emphasized the university's commitment to creating an inclusive environment while also adhering to federal requirements. He stated that the university had always complied with NCAA eligibility rules and Title IX as interpreted at the time, but acknowledged that the new agreement would require a shift in policy (source-1, source-3).

Analysis

The assertion that "Transwomen are not women" can be seen as a reflection of the university's new policy rather than an outright declaration. The agreement with the Department of Education requires Penn to adopt definitions of sex that align with biological criteria, which effectively excludes transgender women from competing in women's sports. This has been interpreted by some as a denial of the identity of transgender women (source-2, source-4).

However, it is crucial to note that Penn has not explicitly stated that "transwomen are not women" in its communications. The university has expressed a commitment to fostering an inclusive environment for all students, which complicates the interpretation of this claim. The language used in the agreement and subsequent statements reflects compliance with federal law rather than a definitive stance on gender identity (source-1, source-5).

The reliability of the sources varies, with major news outlets like The New York Times and Washington Post providing detailed coverage of the implications of the agreement, while advocacy groups have criticized the government's approach. The Human Rights Campaign, for example, condemned the agreement as harmful to transgender individuals (source-2, source-6).

Conclusion

The claim that "Transwomen are not women according to the University of Pennsylvania" is Partially True. While the university's recent agreement does impose restrictions on the participation of transgender women in women's sports, it does not explicitly state that transwomen are not women. Instead, it reflects a compliance with new federal definitions that prioritize biological sex over gender identity in the context of athletics. The complexity of this issue highlights the ongoing debate surrounding gender identity and sports, making it a nuanced topic rather than a straightforward declaration.

Fact Check: Transwomen are not women according to the University of Pennsylvania.