Former NCAA swimmer Riley Gaines is pushing back on the claim her activism regarding women’s sports is an attempt to get “likes.”
Gaines shared a portion of HBO’s “Real Time with Bill Maher” from Friday where panelists discussed the issue of transgender athletes competing on sports teams that do not correspond with their biological sex.
Rep. Katie Porter (D-Calif.) seemed to suggest the former swimmer’s advocacy for keeping transgender athletes out of women’s sports was an attempt to win attention on social media.
The California Democrat stated she “strongly” disagrees with Gaines’ view. Instead, she argued, “It should be up to sporting bodies to make the decisions.”
Porter went on, “I think that what she has done is try to turn this — we talked about people using things to kind of get likes and get clicks.”
She also clarified, “And by the way, Riley is speaking up for herself, and that is her prerogative, and I respect her free speech.”
Watch the video below:
Fascinating @RealTimers @RepKatiePorter “@Riley_Gaines_ who i disagree strongly with…”@piersmorgan “what do you disagree with her? just curious”
— Dave Ross (@drosssports) April 15, 2023
Appreciate the pushback and convo. Stuns me how some view Riley as “the villain” here but I ❤️ actual free speech. More of this🇺🇸🙏 pic.twitter.com/lwspWWj0vz
Gaines responded in a tweet, writing, “Hey [Porter] I’m not speaking up for myself…I’m done playing sports. I’m not fighting for me. I’m actually supposed to be in dental school this year.”
“But I’ve changed my life plans because I see what’s at stake if someone doesn’t fight for the present and next generation,” she continued.
She added, “Why is it always women fighting against sex-based protections? That will forever be beyond me.”
Hey @RepKatiePorter I'm not speaking up for myself…I'm done playing sports. I'm not fighting for me. I'm actually supposed to be in dental school this year. But I've changed my life plans because I see what's at stake if someone doesn't fight for the present and next generation https://t.co/4QrPvPbnCC
— Riley Gaines (@Riley_Gaines_) April 15, 2023
Earlier this month, Gaines criticized women’s soccer star Megan Rapinoe for her position on transgender athletes.
She shared a tweet from Rapinoe about a “trans [and] intersex sports ban,” and wrote, “It’s worth noting that 1) you’re done with your athletic career and 2) because you aren’t sexually attracted to men, it’s unlikely you will ever have a daughter to defend.”
I can respect opinions that differ from my own and everyone is entitled to think/speak
— Riley Gaines (@Riley_Gaines_) April 11, 2023
independently, but I can't help but think Megan Rapinoe would genuinely shiv any male who tried to take her spot on the US Women's National Team.
She added, “I can respect opinions that differ from my own and everyone is entitled to think/speak independently, but I can’t help but think Megan Rapinoe would genuinely shiv any male who tried to take her spot on the US Women’s National Team.”
Gaines has been speaking out about the issue since she tied transgender swimmer Lia Thomas in the NCAA championships in 2022.