In a recent video post on social media, former competitive swimmer and women’s activist Riley Gaines shed light on the challenges and fears faced by women who speak out against the inclusion of transgender athletes in women’s sports.
Addressing comments from a previous post, Gaines responded to inquiries about the apparent reluctance of female athletes to vocalize their concerns about the participation of transgender individuals in women’s sports. Gaines, who has been outspoken on this issue, shared her own experiences, recounting incidents of mistreatment and injustice she faced for opposing men competing in women’s sports.
Gaines detailed instances where she encountered hostility, such as having drinks poured on her, glass bottles thrown at her, being spat on, receiving death threats, facing protests at her home, and even enduring a four-hour hostage situation. These experiences, she argued, illustrate the real threats and risks that women face when speaking out on this contentious topic.
Highlighting comments from her original post, Gaines emphasized the reasons behind the perceived silence of women in sports. She read examples of hostile messages, including one wishing harm upon her and another attempting to blame her for potential self-inflicted harm.
Gaines humorously remarked on the irony of such comments coming from what is often described as the “tolerant and inclusive crowd.” She pointed out that personal attacks and name-calling are tactics used because proponents of transgender participation in women’s sports often lack logical, reasoned arguments or scientific backing.
Gaines, who gained attention for her comments after competing against transgender athlete Lia Thomas, expressed her unwavering commitment to truth and standing firm on her beliefs. She asserted that no amount of name-calling or personal attacks would deter her from expressing her concerns about the impact of transgender inclusion in women’s sports.
