“The vast majority of women athletes support the inclusion of transgender athletes” – Riley Gaines discusses a football player’s endorsement of transgender athletes participating in women’s sports

Riley Gaines is recognized as a symbol of equity in women's athletics; she actively speaks out against ideologies and radical ideas about gender.

“The vast majority of women athletes support the inclusion of transgender athletes” – Riley Gaines discusses a football player’s endorsement of transgender athletes participating in women’s sports

Riley Gaines and Megan Rapinoe (via X)

Former NCAA swimmer Riley Gaines reprimanded famous American soccer star Megan Rapinoe for supporting transgender youth in women’s sporting events. Rapinoe was criticized by the 23-year-old for her advocacy of transgender inclusion in women’s sports, despite facing opposition.

Riley Gaines steadfastly opposed transgender women competing in women’s sports without compromise. Megan Rapinoe, an LGBTQ advocate, has consistently supported the participation of transgender women in sports. Recently, Riley Gaines took to X to reply to a post that stated “The vast majority of women athletes support the inclusion of transgender athletes.”

The post from the X user mentions an article from the Women’s Sports Foundation called “Billie Jean King, Megan Rapinoe and Candace Parker join almost 200 athletes in supporting transgender youth in sports” from the past year. Countering this, Riley Gaines commented and dismissed the notion.

She stated that approximately 38 members of her 40-strong University of Kentucky team were against competing with transgender individuals. It is a sentiment she claimed was widespread across most NCAA teams. Gaines argued that Megan Rapinoe is not representative of the majority’s views.

Nevertheless, she concurred with the idea that remaining silent equates to complicity. Notably, Gaines did not disclose the identities of the approximately 38 team members who shared her views, nor did she provide corroborative evidence for her claims.

Riley Gaines criticizes Megan Rapinoe for ‘virtue signaling’ towards transgender athletes

Riley Gaines has critiqued Megan Rapinoe for engaging in what she perceives as classic virtue signaling. This comes in response to Rapinoe’s expression of unwavering support for transgender athletes joining the US women’s soccer team.

Riley Gaines and Megan Rapinoe
Riley Gaines and Megan Rapinoe [Image Credit- X]

During a panel discussion, Gaines pointed out the contradiction in Rapinoe’s stance, given her historical advocacy for gender equality in sports, particularly regarding equitable compensation and resources.

Despite Megan Rapinoe’s high-profile status and her battles for equity in sports, Riley Gaines highlighted the juxtaposition between these efforts. She also reflected on Rapinoe’s current position on transgender inclusion in women’s sports.

The 38-year-old is a vocal proponent of the transgender athlete inclusion and a distinguished soccer figure. As she approaches her final World Cup, she has reaffirmed her support for trans women’s participation on the national team. Gaines asserted that Rapinoe’s support for transgender athletes’ participation in women’s sports inadvertently mutes the dissenters of this action.

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