Riley Gaines Explained

Riley Gaines
Birth Name:Riley Marie Gaines
Birth Date:21 April 2000
Birth Place:Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.
Alma Mater:University of Kentucky
Spouse:Louis Barker[1]
Collegeteam:University of Kentucky
Height:1.75 m (5 ft 9)
Weight:60 kg (136 lb)
Website:rileygaines.com
Strokes:Butterfly
Show-Medals:yes

Riley Marie Gaines[2] (born April 21, 2000),[3] [4] also known as Riley Gaines Barker,[5] is an American former competitive swimmer, political activist and a 12-time NCAA All-American[6] who competed for the University of Kentucky NCAA swim team. She was the 2022 Southeastern Conference Women's Swimming and Diving Scholar-Athlete of the Year.[7] [8] [9] Gaines has campaigned against the participation of trans women in women's sports.

Since 2023, she has hosted the weekly OutKick and Fox Nation podcast Gaines for Girls.[10] [11] [12]

Early life

Gaines was born and raised in Nashville, Tennessee.[13] Her parents were active in sports. Her father, Brad Gaines, played football at Vanderbilt University and her mother, Telisha Gaines, played softball at Donelson Christian Academy and Austin Peay.[14] Gaines attended Station Camp High School in Gallatin, Tennessee.[15] As a junior, she won the 100-yard butterfly and 100-yard freestyle in the TISCA High School Swim & Dive Championship in Knoxville in 2017.[16]

College athletics

Gaines joined the University of Kentucky's swim team and made the All-SEC Freshman Team in 2019. She also made the All-SEC Second Team in 2019 and 2020. She participated in the 2021 NCAA Women's Swimming & Diving Championships, coming second in the freestyle relay and seventh in the 200 freestyle race; she made the All-SEC First Team that year.[17]

In 2022, while swimming for the University of Kentucky in the 200-yard NCAA freestyle championship, Gaines tied for fifth place with University of Pennsylvania swimmer Lia Thomas, who became the first openly trans woman champion in the NCAA women's division after winning the 500-yard freestyle.[5] [18] Gaines shared that Thomas shared locker room space with them while still intact with male genitalia and that the championship trophy was to be given to Thomas for "photo purposes" and that Gaines was expected to go empty handed while waiting for her trophy in the mail.[19] This incident began her activism.

Activism

Gaines has advocated against the inclusion of transgender women in the women's division of sports, including by lobbying her state representatives in April 2022 to pass a law that would prohibit transgender women from women's sports.[20] [21] [22]

In September 2022, Gaines supported the campaign of US Senator Rand Paul by appearing in a TV ad for him, where she shared her criticism of trans women in women's sports.[23]

By January 2023, Gaines had participated in a small protest at the NCAA Convention, appeared in campaign advertisements for former US Senate candidate Herschel Walker, and spoken at a Donald Trump rally.[24]

In March 2023, Gaines was an invited speaker at a Texas Senate committee in support of legislation that would categorically prohibit transgender college athletes from competing in sports divisions that align with their gender identity.[5]

In April 2023, Gaines visited San Francisco State University for a Turning Point USA student chapter event and spoke publicly about her campaign against transgender athletes in women's sports.[25] After the event concluded, protesters arrived.[26] [27] Gaines was escorted by law enforcement officers to shelter in a classroom, where she stayed for three hours while protesters continued to demonstrate outside.[26] [27] After the event, Gaines said she had been physically struck twice by a person during the protest. PEN America called the incident a "disaster," adding that "Physical intimidation or violence is never an acceptable response to speech, no matter how hateful or controversial that speech may be."

On June 21, 2023, Gaines appeared as a witness at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing focused on safeguarding civil rights for LGBTQ Americans and according to C-SPAN, shared her "own personal experience competing with trans swimmer Lia Thomas and having to share the same dressing room."[28] [29]

Gaines accompanied Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt as he signed an anti-trans executive order in August 2023 representing Independent Women's Voice (IWV) which had developed model legislation the Oklahoma bill was based on.[30] [31] [32] [33] The executive order includes a variety of provisions, including a prohibition on transgender women and girls using bathrooms and locker rooms designated for women, a direction to state agencies to use sex assigned at birth to define male and female, as well as definitions for terms such as "man" and "woman."[34] [35]

In November 2023, Gaines confirmed working with FIDE to prevent transgender women from playing in women's chess. This prompted criticism from PinkNews for claiming that trans women had an advantage at chess.[36] That month she also testified to the Ohio Senate Government Oversight Committee about her experiences competing with Thomas and on preventing trans women from competing in female sports in Ohio. The House would go on to pass Bill 68 that would “prevent trans athletes from participating in Ohio women’s sports and would block doctors from providing gender-affirming care to trans youth.”[37]

In March 2024, Gaines was one of sixteen female student athletes who launched a legal case against the National Collegiate Athletic Association over the participation of transgender athletes in women's sports.[38] [39]

Personal life

Gaines is a Christian and has stated that her faith has shaped her activism.[40] [41]

She started dating British swimmer Louis Barker after meeting at the University of Kentucky in 2019, and they married in 2022.[42] On June 2, 2023, Gaines endorsed Ron DeSantis in the 2024 US presidential election,[43] and after the attempted assassination of Donald Trump, she expressed her support for Trump's candidacy.[44]

Awards

Gaines is a decorated athlete with multiple championships and qualifiers under her belt. In addition to this, she has been presented with:

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: White . Nic . Riley Gaines says her immigrant husband has been waiting two years for a green card as she joins Elon Musk in calling for expedited immigration for 'anyone who is talented, hard-working and honest' . April 15, 2024 . Daily 'Mail.
  2. Web site: LSC: SE For Dates 9/1/2012 - 8/31/2013. USA Swimming. December 13, 2023. 9.
  3. Web site: Keith . Braden . October 13, 2022 . NCAA Establishes New Policy For Championship Ties Amid 2022 Controversy . September 27, 2023 . SwimSwam.
  4. Gaines . Riley . April 21, 2024 . cheers to 24❣️ thanks for all the love & birthday wishes. C6CjDwwOd0V. April 22, 2024 . rileygbarker.
  5. News: Goldenstein . Taylor . Three female athletes back Texas college transgender sports ban as LGBTQ activists warn of harm . June 9, 2023 . . March 14, 2023.
  6. News: Bird . Darrel . March 5, 2021 . Women athletes are crushing it at Kentucky, and nationally . 24/7 Sports . April 8, 2023 . March 5, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210305173918/https://247sports.com/college/kentucky/LongFormArticle/Kentucky-Wildcats-basketball-softball-volleyball-swimming-gymnnastics-161894739/#161894739_5 . live.
  7. Web site: Riley Gaines Named SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year . April 8, 2023 . The Sports Ledger . September 29, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220929144123/https://thesportsledger.com/riley-gaines-named-sec-scholarathlete-of-the-year-p19988-202.htm . live.
  8. Web site: Vaught . Larry . February 14, 2021 . Success nothing new for Riley Gaines but she would like to add SEC title this week . April 8, 2023 . Your Sports Edge 2021 . en-US . April 8, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230408172331/https://www.yoursportsedge.com/2021/02/14/success-nothing-new-for-riley-gaines-but-she-would-like-to-add-sec-title-this-week/vaughts-views/larryvaught/ . live.
  9. Web site: Vaught . Larry . February 11, 2021 . Junior Riley Gaines expects UK to contend for title in unique SEC Championships . April 8, 2023 . The State Journal . en . April 8, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230408172359/https://www.state-journal.com/local_sports/junior-riley-gaines-expects-uk-to-contend-for-title-in-unique-sec-championships/article_17dc2c44-6cd3-11eb-89ec-03f3ccbcaa85.html . live.
  10. Web site: OutKick Announces New Podcast Hosted by Riley Gaines. Ahmad Austin Jr.. Mediaite. July 10, 2023. April 19, 2024.
  11. Web site: Riley Gaines to join OutKick with new show Gaines for Girls - Washington Examiner. Heather Hamilton. Washington Examiner. July 10, 2023. April 19, 2024.
  12. Web site: OutKick Shows Launch on FOX Nation. Business Wire. July 31, 2023. April 19, 2024.
  13. 1682028520531439619. Riley_Gaines. Gaines. Riley. July 20, 2023. Clarifying I'm born and raised in Nashville .... 2024-04-22.
  14. News: Organ . Mike . March 27, 2016 . Former Vanderbilt star careful not to pressure his kids . . April 8, 2023 . April 12, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230412104751/https://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/2016/03/27/former-vanderbilt-football-standout-brad-gaines-careful-not-to-pressure-kids/82209238/ . live.
  15. News: Brooks . Chris . July 3, 2016 . Gaines has 'good experience' in trials . M.9 . . live . April 8, 2023 . April 12, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230412104747/https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/local/sumner/sports%20/2016/07/01/gaines-has-good-experience-us-olympic-trials/86613324/.
  16. News: Michael . Murphy . February 22, 2017 . Riley Gaines three-peats -- twice: Station Camp junior wins 100 free, 100 fly for third year in a row . M.4 . . 1053-6590 .
  17. Web site: February 18, 2022 . 2022 SEC Swimming & Diving Scholar-Athletes of the Year Announced . April 8, 2023 . SwimSwam . en-US . December 10, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221210085637/https://swimswam.com/2022-sec-swimming-diving-scholar-athletes-of-the-year-announced/ . live.
  18. Web site: Barnes . Katie . March 17, 2022 . Thomas first transgender athlete to win D-I title . March 18, 2022 . ESPN . en . March 18, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220318004806/https://www.espn.com/college-sports/story/_/id/33529775/amid-protests-pennsylvania-swimmer-lia-thomas-becomes-first-known-transgender-athlete-win-division-national-championship . live .
  19. McCarthy . Claudine . 2023-05-01 . Practical Guidance on Athletics Laws and Regulations . College Athletics and the Law . 20 . 2 . 2024-08-07.
  20. News: Linder . Brian . April 4, 2022 . Kentucky's Riley Gaines says NCAA needs to 'make changes' to rules that allowed transgender swimmer Lia Thomas to compete at national championships . PENN Live . live . April 8, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220406174915/https://www.pennlive.com/news/2022/04/kentuckys-riley-gaines-says-ncaa-needs-to-makes-changes-to-rules-that-allowed-transgender-swimmer-lia-thomas-to-compete-at-national-championships.html . April 6, 2022.
  21. News: Ky. Senate overrides veto of Fairness in Women's Sports Act; UK swimmer voices her opinion . McClanahan . Gil . April 13, 2022 . WHCS FOX 11 Eyewitness News . April 8, 2023 . April 4, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230404180914/https://wchstv.com/news/local/riley-gaines . live.
  22. Web site: Chen . Natasha . Mossburg . Cheri . April 7, 2023 . Former college swimmer says she was assaulted at an event opposing the inclusion of trans women in women's sports . April 8, 2023 . CNN . en . April 8, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230408050848/https://www.cnn.com/2023/04/07/us/former-ncaa-swimmer-riley-gaines-assault-san-francisco-state-university/index.html . live.
  23. News: Watkins . Morgan . October 29, 2022 . Rand Paul campaign ad features former UK swimmer, slams transgender athletes, trans women . . live . April 8, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230408172359/https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/politics/rand-paul/2022/09/28/rand-paul-kentucky-swimmer-riley-gaines-attack-trans-people/69524544007/ . April 8, 2023.
  24. News: Foster . Matt . January 13, 2023 . Protest over inclusion of transgender athletes in women's sports held outside NCAA Convention . . live . April 9, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230316091932/https://www.cnn.com/2023/01/13/sport/transgender-athlete-protest-ncaa-spt-intl/index.html . March 16, 2023.
  25. News: Ross . Alexandra . March 28, 2023 . 'Spiritual warfare': Riley Gaines speaks against trans women in women's sports at on-campus event . . April 8, 2023 . April 5, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230405182257/https://pittnews.com/article/180047/news/spiritual-warfare-riley-gaines-speaks-against-trans-women-in-womens-sports-at-on-campus-event/ . live.
  26. News: Regimbal . Alec . April 7, 2023 . Anti-Lia Thomas activist whisked away by police amid protest at San Francisco State . . April 8, 2023 . April 7, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230407214044/https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/riley-gaines-speech-san-francisco-state-university-17884740.php . live.
  27. News: Hernandez . Adriana . April 7, 2023 . Riley Gaines visit to SF State results in trans-rights activist protest . Golden Gate Xpress . April 8, 2023 . April 8, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230408063639/https://goldengatexpress.org/102298/latest/news/riley-gaines-visit-to-sf-state-results-in-trans-right-activist-protests/ . live.
  28. Web site: American Swimmer Riley Gaines on Competing with Trans Athlete Lia Thomas . C-SPAN.org . June 21, 2023 . June 25, 2023.
  29. News: Ring . Trudy . Anti-Trans Misinformation Spewed at Senate Hearing — But It Gets Countered . June 25, 2023 . . June 22, 2023 . en.
  30. News: Murphy . Sean . Transgender rights targeted in executive order signed by Oklahoma governor . August 3, 2023 . . August 1, 2023 . en.
  31. News: France . Hannah . Korth . Robby . Oklahoma Executive Order enacts 'Women's Bill of Rights,' critics call it 'transmisogyny' . August 3, 2023 . . August 1, 2023 . en.
  32. News: Kemp . Adam . This new Oklahoma executive order narrowly defines 'woman' . 26 January 2024 . . 16 August 2023 . en-us.
  33. News: Demirhan . Ansev . Meet the Anti-Feminist Women's Group Leveraging Their 'Independence' to Convince Americans to Vote Republican . Ms. Magazine . 15 May 2024.
  34. Web site: Stitt . Kevin . August 1, 2023 . Executive Order 2023-20 . August 3, 2023 . Oklahoma Secretary of State.
  35. News: Migdon . Brooke . Oklahoma governor signs order targeting transgender rights . August 4, 2023 . . August 2, 2023.
  36. News: Billson . Chantelle . 2023-11-29 . Riley Gaines dragged for claim trans women have chess advantage . 2023-12-18 . PinkNews.
  37. News: Riley Gaines testifies in support of Ohio bill blocking trans athletes and gender-affirming care . 2023-11-29 . Henry, Megan . 2024-08-09 . Ohio Capital Journal.
  38. News: Lawton . Matt . 14 March 2024 . Women athletes launch landmark case against transgender inclusion . 14 March 2024 . The Times.
  39. News: Rumsby . Ben . 14 March 2024 . Transgender swimmer Lia Thomas in fresh legal battle . 15 March 2024 . The Telegraph.
  40. Web site: Alcindor . Nicole . Reporter . C. P. . 2023-07-18 . Riley Gaines says spiritual awakening is helping her in fight to ban men in women sports . 2023-12-15 . The Christian Post . en-US.
  41. Web site: Hahn . Nicole . 2024-02-24. Riley Gaines Speaks ‘Biblical Truth’ About Men Competing Against Women. 2024-08-19. Today’s Catholic . en-US.
  42. News: Who is Riley Gaines' husband? Everything to know about Louis Barker who the former swimmer met at University of Kentucky . Shinde, Janhavi . 2024-02-13 . 2024-08-07 . Sportskseeda .
  43. Web site: June 3, 2023 . Riley Gaines Praises Ron DeSantis as a Leader Who Has 'Drawn the Line,' Protected Women's Sports . June 21, 2023 . National Review . en-US.
  44. News: We just witnessed an assassination attempt- Riley Gaines reacts to shooting at Donald Trump's rally in Pennsylvania . 2024-07-14 . 2024-08-07 . Amani, Marie . Sportskseeda .

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