Riley Gaines, a former collegiate swimmer and current Outkick contributor, made an appearance at former President Trump’s rally in Glendale, Arizona, where she announced her support for Trump over Vice President Kamala Harris. She explained that as a woman, she was choosing to vote for Trump and criticized Democrats’ stances on issues such as gender-affirming surgery, school choice, parental rights, and freedom related to abortion and gender identity. Gaines was part of a lineup of speakers that included Republican Arizona Senate candidate Kari Lake and GOP Arizona Reps. Andy Biggs, Paul Gosar, and Eli Crane.
In response to Democratic voters who say they are voting for Harris because she is a woman, Gaines highlighted several issues that are important to her as a female voter. She expressed her support for Trump, citing his commitment to protecting women’s sex-based rights compared to what she sees as the Democratic party’s disregard for those rights. Gaines specifically mentioned her opposition to the belief that men can become pregnant and the idea that tampons should be available in boys’ bathrooms as examples of the differences between the political parties.
Gaines has agreed to testify in Georgia about her experience competing against and sharing a locker room with a biological male athlete, Lia Thomas, alongside four other NCAA All-American women athletes. They filed a lawsuit against the NCAA in March, alleging that the association violated Title IX by allowing Thomas to compete in women’s swimming competitions. The committee’s inquiry will specifically focus on the 2022 NCAA Division I Women’s Swimming and Diving Championships, where Thomas competed for the University of Pennsylvania women’s swimming team and eventually tied with Gaines in the 200-yard championships.
Gaines and the other female athletes involved in the lawsuit will share their experiences of being forced to share a locker room with Thomas and explain how they believe they were harmed by the actions of Georgia Tech University and the NCAA. They will also discuss what measures they believe need to be taken in order to protect women in sports in the future. Gaines and these other athletes are members of the Independent Council on Women’s Sports (ICONS) and aim to raise awareness about the importance of upholding Title IX regulations and ensuring fair competition for women in sports.
The issue of transgender athletes competing in women’s sports has been a controversial and highly debated topic in recent years, with concerns raised about fairness and the impact on Title IX protections. Gaines’ decision to speak out against what she sees as the unfair treatment of female athletes in the face of transgender inclusion highlights the ongoing challenges and complexities surrounding this issue. The outcome of the lawsuit and the testimonies of these women athletes could have significant implications for the future of women’s sports and the enforcement of Title IX regulations in collegiate athletics.
Gaines’ appearance at the Trump rally and her willingness to advocate for women’s rights in sports provide a platform to bring attention to the challenges and injustices that female athletes may face. By joining forces with other women athletes to testify and file a lawsuit against the NCAA, Gaines is taking a stand for the protection of sex-based rights and fair competition in women’s sports. The outcome of their efforts could lead to important changes in the way athletic organizations address transgender inclusion and uphold Title IX regulations, potentially shaping the future of women’s sports for generations to come.
