


Former college swimmer Riley Gaines called out professional soccer player Megan Rapinoe on Tuesday for "virtue signaling" on the issue of transgender sports bans.
Rapinoe, a former player on the U.S. Women's National Team, tweeted in March, telling her followers to call their lawmakers and urge them not to support a ban of biological men from women's sports.
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"Today, politicians in DC are claiming to “protect women's sports” by pushing a trans & intersex sports ban. Call your Congressional rep today to say women's sports need protection from unequal pay, sexual abuse & lack of resources, NOT from trans kids. #LetKidsPlay 202-224-3121," she wrote.
On Tuesday, Gaines responded to the tweet, slamming the soccer player for taking such a position on an issue that doesn't affect her personally.
"It's worth noting that 1) you're done with your athletic career and 2) because you aren't sexually attracted to men, it's unlikely you will ever have a daughter to defend. To me, this looks like a classic case of virtue signaling because you have nothing to personally lose," wrote the swimmer, who notably competed against transgender woman Lia Thomas in the NCAA championship.
I can respect opinions that differ from my own and everyone is entitled to think/speak
— Riley Gaines (@Riley_Gaines_) April 11, 2023
independently, but I can't help but think Megan Rapinoe would genuinely shiv any male who tried to take her spot on the US Women's National Team.
"I can respect opinions that differ from my own and everyone is entitled to think/speak independently, but I can't help but think Megan Rapinoe would genuinely shiv any male who tried to take her spot on the US Women's National Team," she added.
While Rapinoe is not listed on the current USWNT roster, she was recently signed to continue playing for the OL Reign through the 2023 season.
Gaines recently spoke at San Francisco State University regarding the protections and freedoms of biological women, but the event reportedly turned violent. The swimmer was forced out of the building by protesters who were chanting profanities at her.
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“Riley shouldn’t have to worry about being physically assaulted when she is speaking out — just like she shouldn’t have to worry about her safety and privacy in the locker room," Independent Women's Forum President Carrie Lukas said afterward about the incident involving Gaines, a spokeswoman for the group.
Later, an administrator pointed students toward on-campus counseling services in order to "heal" from the event.