Former University of Kentucky swimmer Riley Gaines threatened to take “legal action” against “transgender” activists who attacked her during a speech she gave about protecting women’s rights at San Francisco State University (SFSU).
Gaines has criticized the participation of “transgender” females, biological men, in women’s sports.
In an interview with Fox News host Tucker Carlson, Gaines announced she would legally act against her alleged attackers, promising they would face “repercussions.” Carlson asked Gaines if anyone in California spoke out against the attack, to which Gaines replied, “No.”
“Really quick, has any — did anyone in the State of California in authority, any political figure, for example, defend you?” Carlson asked.
“No,” Gaines replied. “Not the Dean of Students, not the Campus Police. I will say the City of San Francisco Police that stepped in, they did a phenomenal job in escorting, three hours later. But I will be pursuing legal action.”
Gaines was attacked while giving a speech at a Turning Point USA event on the SFSU campus. She was escorted out of the building by police through the school’s hallways.
Gaines posted a video on Twitter showing herself running down a hallway with police officers as transgender activists shouted, “Trans rights are human rights.”
The prisoners are running the asylum at SFSU…I was ambushed and physically hit twice by a man. This is proof that women need sex-protected spaces.
Still only further assures me I'm doing something right. When they want you silent, speak louder. 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/uJW3x9RERf
— Riley Gaines (@Riley_Gaines_) April 7, 2023
Protesters chanted as Gaines spoke about her experience competing against swimmer Lia Thomas, a biological male who identifies as female. The activists eventually entered the room Gaines was speaking in, forcing her evacuation.
Inside: Chants can be heard in the room where Riley Gaines is speaking and protestors within the room are stamping their feet along to the protestors outside. pic.twitter.com/6WftLbKefN
— Golden Gate Xpress (@GGXnews) April 7, 2023
The university’s police department said no individuals were arrested after the protests, citing the relocation of Gaines from the event room to another.
“We are conducting an ongoing investigation into the situation,” a spokesperson said. “The disruption occurred after the conclusion of the event which made it necessary for UPD officers to move the event speaker from the room to a different, safe location.”
In March 2022, Gaines tied Thomas for fifth place in a swimming competition held by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). She said she felt “extreme discomfort” sharing a locker room with Thomas.
Gaines said the NCAA told her Thomas would be pictured holding the fifth-place trophy at the Atlanta championships while she poses with the sixth-place one.
In a 2022 interview with Carlson, Gaines said that after questioning an NCAA official about the decision, they told her the organization was going in chronological order of winners, despite her and Thomas tying.
“We tied. What are we being chronological about?” Gaines recalled asking the official. “And he kind of blatantly said, ‘we’re just going to give the trophy to Lia: We respect and admire your swim, but Lia needs to hold the trophy.'”
Allowing males to compete in female sports is unfair and will only negatively affect women in the future, robbing them of their scholarship opportunities.
