MLS team pledges 'queer' community support after sponsoring ex-UPenn swimmer Lia Thomas event

Los Angeles Football Club, a professional soccer team in Major League Soccer, has pledged its support for the LGBTQ+ community by sponsoring an event honoring former University of Pennsylvania swimmer Lia Thomas. The event, which was co-sponsored by the Los Angeles Dodgers, took place last Thursday night and recognized Thomas as the "Voice of Inspiration" - an award given to individuals whose stories and actions ignite hope and courage within the LGBTQ+ community.

Thomas, who is a transgender woman, won a women's national title in 2022, sparking a national debate over trans athletes in girls and women's sports. The Los Angeles Football Club's commitment to supporting Thomas and the LGBTQ+ community comes after they expressed their support for Daisy Chavez, one of the event's speakers.

"We are a community of queer fans, local leaders, supporters and activists of the Los Angeles Football Club," Chavez said during the event. "We've been athletes. We've been fans. We've been lovers of the sports." Chavez emphasized that the club's presence at the event was not just about supporting Thomas but also about representing the LGBTQ+ community.

However, the team's commitment has been met with resistance from other members of the trans community. Riley Gaines, a former competitor against Thomas, expressed her dissatisfaction with Thomas being given the award, calling it "courage" for men who realized that women could take everything away from them, including records and spaces.

The event comes as 29 states in the US have regulations regarding trans athletes in girls and women's sports. The Los Angeles Football Club's decision to sponsor the event and show support for Thomas and the LGBTQ+ community is seen as a positive step towards promoting inclusivity and acceptance within the sports world.

Umm what's with all the drama over Lia Thomas ? Can't we just celebrate her achievements without making it about the whole trans debate? I mean, she won a title in 2022 and that's something to be proud of, right? It's like, let's focus on supporting each other rather than tearing each other down. The LAFC is doing the right thing by showing love for Lia and the LGBTQ+ community, even if some people don't agree with it . And btw, who cares what Riley Gaines thinks? She's just trying to stir up drama .

idk how ppl can be so divided over this Lia Thomas thing she just wants 2 b recognized 4 who she is & her achievements shouldn't b politicized i think it's great that Los Angeles FC is sponsering an event 2 show support 4 the LGBTQ+ community, esp since they also had other reps like Daisy Chavez @ the event riley gaines bein all bitter 'cause men lost out on records lol, like get over it & focus on promoting inclusivity instead of causing drama

omg i'm low-key proud of los angeles football club rn they're literally stepping up their game by showing support for lia thomas and the lgbtq+ community it's about time more teams start doing this kinda thing, especially after daisy chavez spoke out about how important it is to represent the queer fans and leaders at the club i'm also not surprised some people in the trans community are hating on thomas tho riley gaines' reaction was pretty extra tbh but overall i think this is a huge step forward for inclusivity and acceptance in sports ️

OMG, I just saw this thread from last week and I'm still trying to process it... Like, I get why Riley Gaines was upset, but come on, Lia Thomas has been through so much for her identity and it's amazing that LAFC is supporting her . I mean, if anything, it's about giving a platform to underrepresented voices in the trans community, not just one person. And can we talk about how far we've come? Like, 29 states with regulations on trans athletes? It's still progress, right? Anyway, I'm glad LAFC is being an ally and showing that they care about more than just their fans' opinions

I'm low-key impressed that @LAFC is using their platform to support Lia Thomas and the LGBTQ+ community #BeAn Ally, right? It's about time more organizations start speaking up for equality in sports! The fact that they co-sponsored with the @Dodgers shows how serious they are about making a change. I'm also loving how @DaisyChavez is speaking her truth and representing the community However, I do agree that not everyone is happy about it, like Riley Gaines, but can't we all just get along? Let's focus on promoting inclusivity and acceptance in sports!

I think it's awesome that the LAFC is standing up for Lia Thomas and the LGBTQ+ community! It takes courage (no pun intended) to show support for someone who has faced so much scrutiny and criticism. The fact that they're not just giving a handout, but also using their platform to raise awareness about inclusivity and acceptance in sports is really inspiring . It's all about creating a safe space for everyone to be themselves, regardless of their identity. I'm loving the energy around this event and I hope it inspires more people to get on board with promoting equality and respect

I gotta say, it's awesome to see a team like the LAFC stepping up to support Lia Thomas & the LGBTQ+ community! It takes courage to take a stand, especially when there are differing opinions out there. But what really gets me is how they're not just talking the talk, they're walking the walk – literally being part of an event that's all about uplifting & empowering people in the trans community.

Now, I get why some folks might be resistant to this kind of support, but at the end of the day, it's all about treating everyone with respect & dignity. Everyone deserves to feel seen & heard, regardless of their identity or background. It's not always easy to navigate these conversations, but I think we're getting there slowly.

The thing that bothers me is how some people still can't seem to understand that being trans isn't a competition – it's just who someone is! We need more spaces like this event where everyone can come together & celebrate our differences.

I think its kinda cool that the LAFC is stepping up and showing some love for Lia Thomas. Like, we need more organizations like them taking a stand for what's right. The whole thing with Riley Gaines and all that drama just brings it back to why we gotta support each other, you know? And I'm not even saying the sports world is perfect or anything...

I gotta say, I'm all about supporting our trans friends & allies , but at the same time, can't we just have a chill conversation about this? Like, Riley Gaines has every right to her opinion, but calling it "courage" for men who lost records or spaces is, like, kinda harsh . It's all about finding that balance between being inclusive & having a respectful debate .

And I love how the LAFC is stepping up as allies , but we also gotta acknowledge that not everyone in the trans community agrees on this stuff . It's complex, it's messy, and sometimes uncomfortable, but hey, at least we're talking about it, right? The fact that 29 states have regulations regarding trans athletes is still a major issue , but I'm hopeful that, like, sports & communities can come together to create more inclusive spaces .

I think it's awesome that the LA FC team is supporting Lia Thomas like this ! I mean, she's an amazing athlete and a true inspiration to many people, especially in the trans community. It's about time more teams show their support for folks who are just trying to live their lives authentically .

But, at the same time, I can see why some people might be upset about Riley Gaines speaking out against Thomas getting that award . It's a complex issue and I don't think we should be pitting people against each other. We should just be trying to understand where everyone is coming from and find ways to make things more inclusive .

I'm glad the Dodgers were co-sponsoring this event with LA FC, though! It shows that even in sports, we can come together and celebrate our differences .

I think its awesome that LAFC is using their platform to amplify voices like Lia Thomas and Daisy Chavez, its about time we get more trans representation in sports and beyond . The pushback from Riley Gaines is expected, but its still a brave move by the team to take a stand for inclusivity ️. We need more organizations like LAFC that are willing to listen and learn from the trans community . And btw, I love how Chavez framed it as not just about Thomas, but about representing the whole LGBTQ+ community . Its all about progress and creating a safer space for everyone

omg u guys i was literally shaking with emotions during that event last thursday Lia Thomas's story is everything and more!!! i'm so proud of her for being her authentic self and inspiring others to do the same i feel bad for Riley Gaines tho, she seems like she's struggling w/ her own identity crisis lol anyway back to Lia - it's about time we recognize and celebrate trans women in sports!

I think it's amazing that the LAFC is using their platform to support Lia Thomas and the LGBTQ+ community . It's not just about the award, but also about creating a space where everyone can feel included and accepted . I've seen some of the comments from people who disagree with this decision, and honestly, it's hard to understand why someone would be resistant to celebrating another person's courage . At the end of the day, sports is supposed to be about competition and community, not division . The fact that the LAFC is showing their support for Thomas is a great step forward in promoting inclusivity and acceptance within the sports world

omg i cant even handle how amazing los angeles football club is they just showed their love for lias thomas and the lgbtq+ community in the most incredible way!! i was literally on the edge of my seat when they announced that they were sponsoring this event to honor her it's not like them just doing it for publicity, they genuinely care about making a difference

and can we talk about how brave daisy chavez is? she spoke so passionately and honestly about the impact that los angeles football club has on the lgbtq+ community and i am HERE. FOR. IT

of course, not everyone agrees with lias thomas being given this award but honestly, i think it's a beautiful way to promote inclusivity and acceptance los angeles football club is truly leading the way in making our sports world a more loving and accepting place

I'm so done with all this drama ... Like, I get it, Lia Thomas's achievement was a big deal and she should be recognized for it, but does Riley Gaines have to go and make a scene about it? It's just like, come on, guys, let's not make it harder than it has to be. And can we please just focus on supporting each other instead of tearing each other down? The Los Angeles Football Club is doing the right thing by sponsoring this event and showing their support for the LGBTQ+ community. It's about time more teams step up and promote inclusivity in sports ...

Ugh, I'm loving this moment of progress but also kinda frustrated at the same time . Like, yay for LAFC supporting Lia Thomas and recognizing her awesomeness! But what's with Riley Gaines being so extra? Can't she just chill and accept that women's sports can be inclusive too? It feels like some people are still stuck in the past . And I gotta say, it's kinda wild that we're having these conversations 10 years into the trans rights movement . We've come a long way, but there's still so much work to be done . LAFC's move is a good one, though - maybe it'll inspire more teams to follow suit

I gotta say, it's awesome that LAFC is gettin' behind Lia Thomas like that! Supporting trans athletes in women's sports is super important, especially with all the controversy surroundin' it right now. It's not easy bein' a trailblazer, and Thomas has definitely paved the way for others. I'm glad to see other organizations like the Dodgers gettin' on board too! The thing that bothers me is that some trans folks are still resistin' it, but I think we can all learn from each other's perspectives. Let's keep the conversation goin' and try to find common ground, ya know?

I don’t usually comment but I think it’s kinda messed up that there are still people who don't want trans athletes to compete in girls & women's sports . Like, what even is the logic behind that? You're saying that trans people can't be women because... what, their body doesn't match up with the label? That's not the point - it's about equality and fairness.

And I gotta say, I love that the LAFC is supporting Lia Thomas and other members of the LGBTQ+ community . It's about time more sports teams and organizations spoke out against those discriminatory laws. The fact that Riley Gaines is getting all upset just shows how entrenched some people are in their own biases .

I don’t usually comment but it’s kinda refreshing to see an event like this, where we can celebrate people who inspire hope and courage within the LGBTQ+ community . The more sports teams show support for trans athletes and the community, the better off we'll be .

I'm so glad to see big sports teams like LA FC taking a stand for trans rights . It's about time we saw more inclusivity in the sports world, especially since there are already laws restricting trans athletes from competing. I mean, Riley Gaines' reaction is just sour grapes - she's trying to shift the focus away from the real issue, which is people being oppressed for who they are. Lia Thomas has shown so much courage and resilience as a trans woman in a sport where cis women get all the attention . And it's not just about her - it's about creating a culture where everyone feels welcome and included. The fact that Chavez and others spoke up is amazing , we need more voices like hers speaking out for change.