1/7/22

Trans Colegate Swimmer Lia Thomas Gets Support From School and league

Lia Thomas
 Lia Thomas / Youtube SwimSwam

Lia Thomas is being given support by the NCAA, her school, and the Ivy League. Her participation on the woman's swim team may have gone unnoticed. But when she succeeded and broke records she became a lightning rod for vitriol commentary.

This sends a dangerous message to trans people everywhere, do your best and pay the consequences. 

In response, both the Ivy League and University of Pennsylvania have issued messages of support for Thomas, making it clear she is abiding by NCAA guidelines, Give Me Sports reports

"Over the past several years, Lia and the University of Pennsylvania have worked to comply with the NCAA to follow all of the appropriate protocols in order to comply with the NCAA policy on transgender athlete participation," the Ivy League statement reads.

"The Ivy League reaffirms its unwavering commitment to providing an inclusive environment for all student-athletes while condemning transphobia and discrimination in any form."

"The league welcomes her participation in the sport of women’s swimming and diving and looks forward to celebrating the success of all of our student-athletes throughout the season."

The same day Penn State issued a simular statement of unequvical support.

Transgender swimmer Lia Thomas speaks out after receiving massive backlash

1/5/22

Florida Transgender woman's Death Being Investigated as Suspicious

Duval Princess / TransGriot

Transgender woman Duval Princess was found unresponsive in the parking lot of the Ceil Luxury Apartments, Jacksonville Florida on January 2, 2022, shortly before 2 am.

Officers initially responded to a report of a traffic crash at Ciel Luxury Apartments on Skyway Drive shortly after 2 a.m. Upon arrival, they found a woman lying outside of a car in the parking lot.

First Coast News in an article dated January, 2nd reported her as an unidentified man.

However, local black advocates contacted TransGriot informing the trans news outlet that the victim was a transgender woman who went by the name Duval Princess.

Duval Princess was transported to a local hospital where she was pronounced dead. However, medical staff at the hospital told investigators that the woman's injuries were not consistent with a traffic accident. After receiving this information, JSO's homicide unit responded to the scene.

Detectives are currently treating the investigation as a suspicious death and said foul play is suspected.

The cause of death is pending an autopsy from the medical examiner's office.

Update: The National Black TransLiberation Movement shared the following Facebook:

"Only 26 hours into the new year, and the fatal shooting of a Black Trans/ GNC person occurred in Jacksonville, FL. Tevin Robinson, also known as the Duval Princess, was found unresponsive in the parking lot of an apartment complex. Robinson was initially transported to a local hospital because of injuries that were believed to be sustained in an automobile accident; however, a postmortem evaluation indicated the presence of fatal gunshot wounds. Robinson was 24 yrs. old."

For those wishing to help with final arrangements, the family has set-up a GoFundMe

As police continue to investigate, JSO is looking for surveillance videos or witnesses that can provide information on how the man died.

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call JSO's non-emergency number at 904-630-0500 or email JSOCrimeTips@jaxsheriff.org. You can also remain anonymous by calling First Coast Crime Stoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS.

R.I.P. Duval Princess