Former collegiate swimmer Riley Gaines spoke at the University of Florida as part of her campus tour. She shared her experience competing against a transgender individual and detailed her journey advocating for women’s rights in sports.
The Network of Enlightened Women, a student organization at UF, partnered with the Riley Gaines Center at the Leadership Institute to bring Gaines to Gainesville. The event was attended by over 100 people, said Emely Almendarez, president of the Network of Enlightened Women.
Gaines is on her second tour, “Reclaim Feminism,” where she will visit universities such as Grand Canyon University, Texas State University, the University of California, Berkeley, and Iowa State University. Her first tour was named “Speak Louder,” which covered universities like Harvard, Notre Dame and Saint Mary’s College.
In her speech, Gaines detailed her experience speaking at San Francisco State University and how she was received by students.
“They came with pitchforks and fire,” she said. “These protesters they rush into the back of the room. They flip the light switch, so they turn the lights off and push me at the front. They start pushing me and shoving me and hitting me. I’m talking punching me in the face. These men wearing dresses, which, fortunately for me, their punches don’t hurt that bad.”
Gaines described the sensitivity training she and her teammates received while at the University of Kentucky, as well as what one administrator told her. “When you signed that scholarship, you gave away your right to speak in your own personal capacity,” Gaines said, “Remember whose name is across your chest and across your cap because it’s not your own; it’s ours and understand we have already taken your stance for you.”
Caroline Bauer, a sophomore on the UF cross country and track and field team, said that the speech impacted her as an athlete by encouraging her and other student-athletes to stand up for what they believe in and not feel like their voices are not being heard because they’re part of an athletic association.
“My goal in going to these different college campuses really across the nation is just trying to mobilize and engage a younger demographic,” said Gaines. “I don’t think this should be a political issue, but what I have seen as a young conservative myself is that so much of the political sphere is run by an older demographic who tend to, I believe, neglect the future generation. The people who are ultimately going to be left with this country.”
Gaines said she has seen an impact from her advocacy through increased awareness regarding transgender athletes in women’s sports as well as actions being taken through legislative efforts.
“More and more people, female athletes, parents, even coaches are becoming, I would say, more courageous,” said Gaines. “Honestly, it requires courage, unfortunately, to say the simple fact that men and women are different. More and more people are sharing how they have been adversely impacted by this movement as a whole, in terms of legislative action.”
Gaines said she is working on preventing the Biden administration from rewriting Title IX, which is a federal civil rights law that prevents discrimination based on sex in education programs and activities. The Biden administration, she said, is trying to change the law to equate sex with gender identity.
Gaines and 15 other college athletes are also suing the NCAA for violating Title IX by allowing a transgender woman, Lia Thomas, to compete in the 2022 NCAA Division I Women’s Swimming and Diving Championships and permitting Thomas to change in the women’s locker room. Gaines tied with Thomas for fifth place in the 200-yard NCAA freestyle championship.
Gaines said her experience speaking at different universities varied from the reactions of students to the reception by police forces.
“I mean, it’s a great experience everywhere, and I understand the value in kind of going into the belly of the beast because, ultimately, that’s who needs to hear the message. But it certainly increases the fear for my safety,” she said.
Almendarez said the Network of Enlightened Women received some backlash for the event. While tabling at Turlington Plaza, club members received some negative looks and comments.
Cassandra Urbenz, chief of staff of the Pride Student Union, said that she thought the speech was hypocritical and disappointing.
“I think if it was framed differently and was an actual genuine dialogue to have community healing after everything, that would be a lot more productive,” said Urbenz.“That is just not the fact of the matter, so I’m not necessarily excited about it.”
Almendarez said Gaines did not receive payment for speaking at UF.
“I liked how she encouraged us to take a stand even if it doesn’t necessarily affect us right now,” said Annie Loehle, a sophomore on UF’s cross country and track and field teams. “You have to be ahead of it and stand up for it because you know it’s right, not just wait until it affects you.”
