‘You Don’t Have to Be a Closeted Conservative Anymore’: Riley Gaines Defends Women’s Sports at AmFest
By: Hayden Cunningham
Former NCAA swimmer and women’s rights advocate Riley Gaines kicked off day two at Turning Point USA’s 2024 AmericaFest on Friday, delivering a passionate speech where she emphasized her commitment to protecting women’s sports.
Gaines addressed the ongoing issue of transgender-identifying biological men who compete in women’s sports, arguing that the results of the 2024 election were proof that the American people are rejecting this practice. She also noted President-elect Donald Trump’s pledge to ban biological males from competing in women’s categories and to uphold Title IX’s original intent.
Gaines explained that since she has become outspoken about protecting women’s sports due to her personal experience competing against biological male Lia Thomas, she has heard “thousands” of stories from girls like her. She highlighted how these young female athletes have lost opportunities, have been exploited in locker rooms, and have faced injuries at the hands of biological men who have obvious physical advantages.
Focusing on recent controversies, Gaines cited the case of Blair Fleming, a biological male competing in women’s college volleyball. She commended the number of universities that have refused to compete against Fleming in protest, Something Gaines dubbed “Project Boycott” with an emphasis on the word “boy.”
Gaines also reflected on her journey into activism, explaining she never expected such a career.
“This is never where I saw myself. This is never what I wanted to do,” she explained, adding she was in dental school after college. “But I was really, really wrong in assuming that’s how God works.”
Encouraging others to stand up against injustices, Gaines urged attendees to not stay silent about important topics that have become controversial.
“Be bold, say the controversial thing. Call out injustice when you see it and never, ever apologize for speaking the truth,” She said. “I won’t stand up here and lie to you and tell you that you won’t get pushback because it’s almost certain that you will. But what I will tell you to do is take it on the chin.”
Gaines also explained that the question that she is asked most often is how she stays strong amid backlash. She responded by saying that what she does is “easy” because she is speaking the truth and standing up for what is right. She also expressed her belief that it is becoming more acceptable to voice conservative opinions.
“I firmly believe that cancel culture is fading,” Gaines told attendees. “You don’t have to be a closeted conservative anymore. You are the majority.”
Gaines concluded with a warning against complacency, saying, “The American people have won for now, but the biggest mistake that you could possibly make is to become complacent.”
“Success breeds complacency, and complacency breeds failure,” Gaines warned.
Watch full speeches from all AmFest speakers on the Turning Point USA YouTube Channel.
