Riley Gaines Honors California High School Volleyball Team for Forfeiting Match Against Trans-Identifying Athlete
Former collegiate swimmer and women’s rights activist Riley Gaines held a special ceremony for the Stone Ridge Christian High School girls’ volleyball team in California after they forfeited a playoff game rather than compete against a team with a transgender-identifying athlete.
The event, held in the school’s gymnasium, highlighted the team’s decision to prioritize their principles and safety over advancing in the tournament. Gaines, who has been an outspoken advocate for women’s sports, shared her experience competing against biological male swimmer Lia Thomas during the 2022 NCAA Women’s Swimming Championships.
“We knew having a man undressing next to us in the locker room, standing at six foot four, we knew that was wrong,” Gaines said, according to Fox News. “We knew the silencing that we were facing from our universities, our institutions, how really, they effectively silenced us, muzzled us. We knew all of that was wrong. But none of us, including myself, had the courage that these girls on this court today had.”
Stone Ridge Christian High School was scheduled to play San Francisco Waldorf in the Northern California Division 6 tournament but opted to forfeit right before the game was about to take place. In a statement, the school cited their adherence to Biblical principles and concerns for athlete safety.
“At SRC, we believe God’s Word is authoritative and infallible. It is Truth. And as Genesis makes clear, God wonderfully and immutable created each person as male or female. We do not believe sex is changeable and we do not intend to participate in events that send a different message. We also have a duty and responsibility to care for the health and safety of our athletes. So after consulting with our students, coaches and staff, we have made the difficult decision to forfeit Saturday’s game. Standing for Biblical truth means more than the outcome of a game,” the team said in a statement.
This decision mirrors a growing trend among female athletes who have refused to compete against teams including biological males, citing concerns over safety and fairness. At the collegiate level, San Jose State University has been facing pushback, with multiple teams declining to play against its women’s volleyball team due to the inclusion of a biological male player.
Gaines is also leading a lawsuit alongside other female athletes against the NCAA, alleging the organization violated Title IX, which ensures equal opportunities for women in sports.
