Riley Gaines accuses Megan Rapinoe of “virtue signalling” over the Women and Girls in Sport Act

Riley Gaines, a former NCAA star swimmer in Kentucky, has accused Megan Rapinoe of “virtue signalling” as the soccer star and others have opposed the law protecting women and girls in sports.

Gaines was responding to a Rapinoe tweet in March. The reaction also came on the same day that Rapinoe, Sue Bird and 38 others signed a letter from Athlete Ally to House lawmakers opposing the bill. The Rapinoe tweet Gaines responded, saying, “Today, DC politicians claim they are protecting women’s sports by enforcing a ban on trans and intersex sports. Call your congressman today to say that women’s sports must be protected from unequal pay, sexual abuse and a lack of resources, NOT trans children.”

“It’s worth noting that 1) you’re done playing sports and 2) because you’re not sexually attracted to men, you’ll never have a daughter to defend. To me it just looks like a sign of virtue because you have nothing to lose personally,” Gaines wrote.

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Megan Rapinoe gestures during a SheBelieves Cup game between the United States and Japan at Geodis Park on February 19, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Omar Vega/Getty Images)

However, Rapinoe’s sexuality has nothing to do with whether she might have a daughter in the future. Rapinoe is engaged to basketball legend Sue Bird.

“I can respect opinions that differ from my own and everyone has the right to think/speak independently, but I can’t help but believe that Megan Rapinoe will protect any man who tries to find her place in the US taking on the women’s national team would really peel,” Gaines added.

Athlete Ally, an athlete group that supports LGBTQ+ initiatives, sent the letter Monday, according to Sports Illustrated. Athletes believe the law would not protect women in sport but would exclude women and girls from receiving “mental and physical health benefits”.

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“We believe that gender equality in sport is vital, which is why we urge policymakers to focus their attention and efforts on the causes that women athletes have fought for decades, including equal pay, an end to abuse and Abuse and inconsistent implementation of Title IX, and a lack of access and equality for girls of color and girls with disabilities, to name a few. Our deepest hope is that transgender and intersex children will never experience the isolation, marginalization and otherness that HR 734 seeks to enshrine in law,” the letter reads.

Riley Gaines of Kentucky swims the 200 butterfly prelims at the NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships at McAuley Aquatic Center on March 19, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The Biden administration’s proposal to ban transgender athletes outright came under scrutiny last week. The proposed rule states that blanket prohibitions would violate Title IX. For example, it would be difficult for schools to ban a transgender girl from playing on a girls’ baseball team.

The proposed rule would leave room for schools to develop policies that prohibit trans athletes from playing on more competitive teams if those policies are aimed at ensuring fairness or preventing sports-related injuries.

Rep. Greg Steube, R-Fla., introduced the Women and Girls in Sport Protection Act in February. The bill would amend Title IX “to provide that, for the purpose of determining compliance with Title IX of any such law in athletics, gender shall be recognized solely on the basis of an individual’s reproductive biology and genetics at birth.”

Swimmer Riley Gaines of Kentucky after placing fifth with swimmer Lia Thomas of the University of Pennsylvania in the 200 freestyle final at the NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships in Atlanta March 18, 2022. (Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The bill also states that it would be a violation of the law if “a recipient of federal financial assistance that conducts athletic programs or activities sponsors or enables a male person to participate in a specific athletic program or activity.” allowed for women or girls.”

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House lawmakers could consider the bill next week.