Riley Gaines Advocates for Women’s Sports Amidst Transgender Athlete Controversy

Former NCAA All-American swimmer Riley Gaines recently addressed the issue of preserving women’s sports, highlighting her stance at the Montana Family Foundation Banquet held at the Northern Hotel. During her speech, Gaines praised the University of Wyoming women’s volleyball team, which forfeited a match against San Jose State due to the participation of a transgender player on the opposing team. “Well, I applaud the teams, the girls, their bravery, their courage, and their leadership because it takes immense courage to do what they have done,” Gaines stated.

Gaines, who has paused her dental school studies to advocate for biological women in women’s sports, emphasized her position as pro-woman rather than being against any individual. “The stand that I have taken is very, very much pro-woman,” she said, underscoring her dedication to the cause.

The situation has sparked discussions around transgender participation in sports. Bailey Desper, a trans activist, expressed that transgender women should have the opportunity to compete. “That may be something that gives you purpose in life,” Desper remarked. Highlighting personal experiences, Desper added, “I myself have been on hormones since 2017 and I have noticed both physical and appearance changes,” disputing any claimed physical advantage.

Gaines, however, maintains that transgender women indeed have a physical advantage in sports. She recalled an encounter with Lia Thomas, a transgender swimmer from the University of Pennsylvania, during her time at the University of Kentucky. “We had to share a locker room with a 6-foot-4, 22-year-old, fully naked, fully intact man, who was undressing inches away from where we were simultaneously undressing,” Gaines recounted, describing the experience as “an utter violation.”

The Wyoming Athletics Department issued a statement confirming the forfeit without directly addressing the transgender athlete’s involvement, stating that “after a lengthy discussion, the University of Wyoming will not play its scheduled conference match against San José State University.” The statement confirmed the match would be recorded as a forfeit and a loss for Wyoming.

Responses from San Jose State University indicate disappointment over the forfeits. Michelle Smith McDonald, SJSU’s senior director of media relations, expressed support for their athletes, asserting, “It is disappointing that our SJSU student-athletes who are in full compliance with NCAA and Mountain West rules and regulations are being denied opportunities to compete.” She emphasized the university’s commitment to maintaining “an inclusive, fair, safe, and respectful environment.”

Gaines hinted that other universities might follow suit, remarking, “I can tell you that as early as next week, you will see more universities who are doing the same thing.” This suggests that the debate over transgender inclusion in women’s sports is likely to continue and intensify in the coming weeks.