Ex-UPenn swimmer Lia Thomas to receive 'Voice of Inspiration' Award at Dodgers-sponsored event

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The 2022 NCAA women’s swimming champion, Lia Thomas, who is transgender, will be the recipient of the Voice of Inspiration Award at Rainbow Labs’ Violet Visionary Awards on Thursday.

Thomas’ national title sparked nationwide backlash and is considered one of the catalysts in the battle over transgender athlete participation in girls’ and women’s sports.

The award"honors an individual whose story and actions ignite hope and courage within the LGBTQ+ community," according to Rainbow Labs' website.

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Penn Quakers swimmer Lia Thomas prepares for the 100 free at the NCAA Swimming & Diving Championships at Georgia Tech. (Brett Davis/USA Today Sports)

The annual event "honors individuals and organizations that embody the spirit of empowerment, resilience, and joy. We will uplift the power of LGBTQIA+ expression – in fashion, art, dance, voice, and story – as a revolutionary force fueling queer joy and collective freedom," the site says, adding that it will "[celebrate] LGBTQIA+ leaders, mentors, and changemakers who are lighting the way for the next generation."

Riley Gaines, who competed against Thomas and tied the former UPenn swimmer at the national tournament, was not pleased.

University of Pennsylvania swimmer Lia Thomas and Kentucky swimmer Riley Gaines react after finishing tied for fifth in the 200 freestyle finals at the NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships on March 18, 2022, in Atlanta Georgia. (Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

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"Voice of inspiration? The