Riley Gaines Speaks at Idaho Capitol as Little Signs ‘Defending Women’s Sports Act’
By Greg Pruett • August 28, 2024Former University of Kentucky Swimmer Riley Gaines joined Idaho Governor Brad Little on the Jefferson Steps of the Idaho capitol to celebrate Little signing the “Defending Women’s Sports Act.”
Gaines serves as the Independent Women’s Voice Ambassador and has been an outspoken critic of biological males, who identify as females, competing in female-only sports categories. Gaines says that biological males have distinct advantages over women in certain sports, such as competitive swimming, and letting them compete in women’s sports takes away opportunities from individuals who are biologically female.
Idaho was the first state to pass a law prohibiting biological boys/men from competing in women’s sports several years ago when Rep. Barbara Ehardt (R-Idaho Falls) authored the “Fairness in Women’s Sports Act” (HB 500). The law applies to K-12 and public colleges and universities. The bill is currently awaiting a decision from the U.S. Supreme Court on whether it will take up the law.
Today, Little signed an executive order that he said would protect sports for female athletes and give them a level playing field. In a press release sent out today after the event at the capitol, Little said of the executive order,
“Biological males – men and boys – have physical differences that give them an unfair advantage when competing with women and girls in athletics. Female athletes work so hard to get better at their chosen sport. Some of them have started playing sports since they were toddlers. These girls and women, and their families, dedicate their time, passion, and money to improve their skills and compete to win. They deserve a level playing field. That is why it is so important for us as a state to do all we can to protect and defend women’s sports.
Riley Gaines is a leader defending women’s sports, advocating for equality and fairness, and standing up for women’s safety, privacy, and equal opportunities. I am grateful she came to Idaho to support our efforts.”
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Gaines spoke for approximately ten minutes about her efforts and told attendees about her experience as a female athlete competing against an individual who competed in the men’s category before identifying as a female and switching to the women’s category.
Gaines has said that even if men undergo changes to their bodies, this does not diminish their competitive advantages.
Opponents of Riley’s efforts say that individuals undergo medical changes that take away their biological advantages. Opponents say that those who identify as the opposite sex from what they were born as have every right to compete in sports as the sex they identify as.
The ACLU of Idaho filed a lawsuit against Idaho’s Fairness in Women’s Sports Act and said at the time,
“Among the dozens of anti-trans laws introduced in 2020 is Idaho’s HB 500 which bans women and girls who are transgender and many women and girls who are intersex from participating in sports. Governor Brad Little signed the law, making Idaho the first state to impose an outright ban on participation of transgender athletes and the only statewide law regulating transgender and intersex athletes in the country.
Idaho already had one of the most restrictive policies in the country regulating participation of transgender athletes in high school athletics. This restrictive policy, which will be replaced by HB 500’s outright ban on participation, required girls who are transgender to complete one year of hormone therapy as part of gender transition before competing in girls’ sports. While activities associations in other states have enacted a range of policies on the inclusion of transgender student athletes, Idaho is the first state to pass a state law governing athletic participation.”
Gaines is expected to speak at an event in Meridian this evening.
What do you think of this debate? Let us know in the comments below.
Note: Idaho Dispatch took more pictures of the event below. Please note that the images are copyrighted.
Tags: ACLU of Idaho, Barbara Ehardt, Brad Little, Fairness in Women's Sports Act, HB 500, Male, Riley Gaines, Sports
5 thoughts on “Riley Gaines Speaks at Idaho Capitol as Little Signs ‘Defending Women’s Sports Act’”
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It would have been nice to have known about this event ahead of time. I definitely would have been there. I did not see press on this anywhere, including Idaho Dispatch.
I know it drives me crazy every time i hear about an event its already over. I wish we had a source to tell us of conservative events coming in Idaho. Hint Hint Idaho Dispatch.
Biological men should not participate in women’s sports, period. I’m sure most of them couldn’t make it in men’s sports. We will only get more of this debauchery if Harris is elected.
Interestingly Mark, last night at the big event in Meridian, Riley made the point that she does not use the term “biological male” or “biological female” because it infers a nonbiological species. She just uses male/men/boys and female/women/girls. Her point was that there were not “biological males” in the locker room, they were men. Period.
Her clarity was refreshing and inspiring.