Gaines has since deleted the tweets.
Former University of Kentucky swimmer Riley Gaines referred to Megan Rapinoe’s opposition to the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act as “virtue signaling.”
Rapinoe tweeted in March, and Gaines replied. On the same day that Rapinoe, Sue Bird, and another 38 athletes wrote to House representatives to express their opposition to the measure, they received a response. Rapinoe said on Twitter that “today, politicians in D.C. are campaigning for a ban on trans and intersex sports because they think it will “defend women’s sports.” In response, Gaines said, “That’s not true.” The true risks to women’s sports are sexual assault, inadequate financing, and unequal compensation, so please call your senator or congressman right now and tell them so.
Gaines suggested this as a means to demonstrate one’s superiority since “you have nothing to lose.” “You should know that (a) you’re done with sports in any meaningful capacity, and (b) you’ll never have a female to defend since you don’t feel sexually attracted to guys.
However, Rapinoe’s sexuality is irrelevant to whether or not she will produce a daughter. Rapinoe is reportedly engaged to NBA star Sue Bird.
Gaines remarked, “I can respect points of view that are different from mine because I believe that everyone has the right to think and say what they want.” If a male competitor showed up for the U.S. women’s national soccer team, Megan Rapinoe would undoubtedly shiv him.
Gaines has since deleted the tweets.
Athlete Ally, a group of athletes who are allies on LGBTQ+ issues, is rumored to have written the letter on Monday. Since the regulation would prevent women and girls from receiving “mental and physical health benefits,” the athletes believe it would be counterproductive rather than helpful for women in sports.
No matter their gender, we welcome all players. Women athletes have been fighting for decades for a number of issues, including equal pay, an end to abuse and mistreatment, a fair implementation of Title IX, and access and equality for girls of color and girls with disabilities. This letter expresses concern that H.R. 734 will legalize “the isolation, exclusion, and othering” of transgender and intersex children.
The pledge by the Biden administration to lift limitations on transgender athletes was a hot topic last week. The proposed regulation states that universal regulations are prohibited under Title IX. It would be difficult for schools to prohibit a transgender girl from participating in activities with her gender group.
If it is crucial to treat all kids equally or to prevent athletes from being harmed, the proposed regulation would allow schools to exclude transgender athletes from competing on more competitive teams.
The Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act was introduced in February by Florida Republican Rep. Greg Steube. The purpose of this bill is to amend Title IX such that biological and genetic factors alone determine a person’s sex while participating in sports.
The law also prohibits “any recipient of Federal financial assistance that operates, sponsors, or facilitates athletic programs or activities from permitting any person whose sex is male to participate in any such program or activity.”
The House may vote on the bill as early as next week.