gender - The Latremie Post

“I faced a lot of harassment” – Lia Thomas speaks out about challenges as trans swimmer while being honored with ‘Voice of Inspiration Award’

**Lia Thomas Reflects on Challenges as Transgender Swimmer After Receiving ‘Voice of Inspiration Award’**

Lia Thomas recently reflected on the challenges of being a transgender swimmer after receiving the prestigious *Voice of Inspiration Award* at the 2025 Violet Visionary Awards. Thomas made history as the first openly transgender swimmer to compete at the Division I Championships.

Initially, Thomas was a member of the University of Pennsylvania men’s swimming and diving team. During this time, Thomas became a finalist in the 500-yard, 1000-yard, and 1650-yard freestyle events at the 2018 Ivy League Championships. In 2019, Thomas began hormone replacement therapy, marking a significant transition.

In 2021, Thomas returned to competitive swimming, this time representing the Penn women’s team. Thomas’ rise to fame peaked during the 2022 NCAA Championships, where she tied with Riley Gaines. The event sparked controversy as Gaines publicly protested against Thomas’ participation.

### Reflections on the Journey and Challenges Faced

After receiving the award on Thursday, Thomas shared emotional reflections on the swimming journey, highlighting the hurdles and harassment faced by transgender individuals. During her speech, she also emphasized the lack of proper support available for transgender youth.

> “It makes me very emotional because I remember all too well not that long ago being 18 and just realizing that I’m trans and feeling so excited at the prospect of being able to be who I am, but feeling so terrified to take those steps because I didn’t know any other trans people. I barely knew what being trans meant,” Thomas said.

She further added,

> “If I had had an organization like that as a kid to give me the knowledge and language to describe my transness, how important that would have been. Because I faced a lot of harassment. I got a lot of messages of violence against me in my Instagram comments and DMs.”

Alongside winning a title at the 2022 NCAA Division I Swimming and Diving Championships, Thomas was also nominated for the *NCAA Woman of the Year* award.

### Riley Gaines Criticizes Lia Thomas Receiving the Award

Lia Thomas’ *Voice of Inspiration Award*, sponsored by the Los Angeles Dodgers, drew criticism from fellow swimmer Riley Gaines. Following the event, Gaines took a swipe at the MLB team, stating:

> “Last night Lia Thomas was awarded the ‘Voice of Inspiration’ award at a Dodgers-sponsored event. The only people he’s inspired are other opportunistic men who realized they can violate & steal from women and be celebrated for it.”

The tension between Thomas and Gaines intensified after their tied result at the NCAA Championships, where only Thomas, the transgender athlete, was awarded the trophy — a decision that did not sit well with Gaines.

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*About the Author*

**Janhavi Shinde** is a Sports Management graduate and a US Olympics journalist at Sportskeeda. She emphasizes meticulous research and fact-checking across multiple sources, including social media platforms like Instagram and Twitter, as well as various sports publications.

Janhavi has competed nationally in the 10m Air Rifle Shooting event alongside renowned athletes such as Anjali Bhagwat, Apurvi Chandela, and Anjum Moudgil, fueling her passion for sports. Her favorite Olympian is Abhinav Bindra, and she especially cherishes the gold medal victories of Bindra and Neeraj Chopra for revolutionizing the mindset of Indian athletes toward sporting excellence.

If given the chance to introduce a new sport to the Olympics, Janhavi would choose American Football for its widespread appeal and intense competition. Outside of reporting on Olympic news, she enjoys reading, painting, and traveling.

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*Edited by Janhavi Shinde*
https://www.sportskeeda.com/us/olympics/news-i-faced-lot-harassment-lia-thomas-speaks-challenges-trans-swimmer-honored-voice-inspiration-award

Durgapur gang-rape: NCW suggests probing survivor’s friend, political controversy erupts

Durgapur Gang-Rape: NCW Suggests Probing Survivor’s Friend, Political Controversy Erupts

By Snehil Singh | Oct 12, 2025 | 02:05 PM

The National Commission for Women (NCW) has recommended that police interrogate a friend of the 23-year-old Odisha college student who was allegedly gang-raped in Durgapur, West Bengal. NCW member Archana Majumdar met the survivor at a hospital, where the victim revealed that her friend had persuaded her to leave her private college shortly before the attack on Friday.

Investigation Progress: Friend Also Under Scanner

So far, three suspects have been arrested and one detained in connection with the case. The accused have been identified as Apu Bauri (21), Firdos Sekh (23), Sekh Reajuddin (31), and Sheikh Sofiqul.

The survivor’s father also indicated possible involvement of the friend, stating that the friend fled when the accused cornered his daughter. “The survivor’s friend is also under the scanner. He had insisted that she go out with him. When the survivor was cornered by the accused, he fled the scene,” said NCW member Archana Majumdar.

Allegations: Friend Left Her Alone, Say Police

The survivor’s mother alleged that her daughter was gang-raped around 10:00 PM last Friday. According to police, an initial probe revealed that the survivor went out with her friend around 8:00 to 8:30 PM.

“The friend left her alone when three unidentified men arrived there,” a police officer speaking on the condition of anonymity said. The accused reportedly snatched the woman’s phone and took her to a jungle outside the campus, where they raped her, threatening serious consequences if she disclosed the incident to anyone.

Political Response: Calls for Immediate Arrests

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has assured the survivor’s family of the state government’s support amid the investigation. Meanwhile, leaders from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Odisha and West Bengal have demanded the swift arrest of all those involved in the case.

Suvendu Adhikari, Leader of Opposition in the West Bengal assembly, accused the Mamata Banerjee administration—who is also the state’s police minister—of law and order collapse.

Minister’s Statement: Investigation Following All Protocols

West Bengal Women and Child Development Minister Sashi Panja described the incident as “deeply unfortunate” and emphasized that politicizing crimes against women is undesirable.

East Asansol Deputy Commissioner of Police Abhishek Gupta confirmed on Sunday that all investigation protocols are being followed. A drone has been deployed to track a fifth accused believed to be involved in the case.

https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/india/wb-gang-rape-survivor-s-friend-who-fled-under-scanner-ncw/story

Survey Reveals 40% Of Gen Z Women In Mumbai Rely On Social Media For Fertility Advice

**Mumbai: New Survey Reveals Significant Gaps in Fertility Awareness Among Gen Z Women**

A recent reproductive health survey has highlighted notable gaps in fertility awareness and reproductive health management among Gen Z women in Mumbai. The survey, conducted by Motherhood Hospitals and Nova IVF Fertility across metros and tier-1 cities, polled over 200 women aged 23–30.

For context, “Gen Z women” refers to the demographic born roughly between the mid-1990s and early 2010s.

### Key Findings on Hormonal Health

In Mumbai, the survey found that:

– 35% of respondents believed they had no hormonal issues.
– 40% reported having hormonal issues but said they were managing them.
– 25% admitted to being diagnosed with conditions such as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), thyroid disorders, or endometriosis but were not managing them effectively.

These findings shed light on how young women perceive fertility timelines, available options, and their sources of reproductive health information.

### Sources of Reproductive Health Information

The survey revealed a strong reliance on informal channels for reproductive health advice among Mumbai’s Gen Z women:

– 40% relied on social media.
– 35% sought advice from friends.
– 15% depended on TV or movies.
– Only 10% turned to family for information.

Experts have raised concerns that this dependence on informal sources, coupled with a lack of proactive health management, can have serious long-term consequences.

### Expert Insights on Awareness and Testing

Dr. Rita Modi, Senior IVF Consultant at Motherhood Fertility and IVF, Kharghar, emphasized the existing knowledge gaps:
“Over 50% of women have heard of the AMH test, yet many don’t understand its significance. This knowledge gap, combined with untreated lifestyle-related issues such as obesity, PCOS, and thyroid disorders, poses serious risks for future parenthood.”

Dr. Sneha Sathe, Fertility Specialist at Nova IVF Fertility, Chembur, added:
“While 55% of women believe fertility declines only after 35, problems can arise much earlier. Tests like AMH, semen analysis, and ultrasounds provide valuable insights. Alarmingly, 40% of respondents didn’t know what AMH was, and only 20% believed fertility tests should be part of routine health check-ups.”

### Changing Attitudes Towards Parenthood

The survey also reflected evolving views on parenthood among Mumbai’s young women:

– 27% planned to delay having children due to career or financial readiness.
– 18% expressed no desire to have children at all, illustrating the growing popularity of the “DINK” (Double Income, No Kids) lifestyle.

### Call for Increased Awareness and Support

With India’s fertility rate steadily declining, experts are calling for:

– Stronger awareness campaigns on reproductive health.
– Workplace fertility benefits, such as egg freezing.
– Proactive reproductive health education to help young adults make informed decisions about their futures.

As reproductive health becomes an increasingly important topic, addressing these gaps and misconceptions is crucial for empowering Gen Z women in Mumbai and beyond.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/survey-reveals-40-of-gen-z-women-in-mumbai-rely-on-social-media-for-fertility-advice