March 26, 2025 • 12 mins
She is saving women's sports and the courage required cannot be comprehended. Former NCAA swimmer Riley Gaines is coming to Florida State and she offered Preston an overview of the current fight to protect girls and women's sports and spaces.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:02):
Thirty five minutes past the hour, not wasting a moment
of her time, Riley gains with us this morning, founder
of the Riley Gaines Center at the Leadership Institute. She's
been with us before. In fact, the last time Riley
was with us she later that day, was there when
President Donald Trump signed and signed an executive order trying
(00:23):
to protect women's sports and spaces. Riley, welcome back. How
are you.
Speaker 2 (00:30):
Well, I'm fantastic. It is so good to be on
with you.
Speaker 1 (00:33):
I remember that day. I remember seeing your face when
he signed that document and handed you a pen, but
you knew deep down that that was not going to
get this thing done. Hence, the fight is far from over. Tour.
Tell us kind of your appraisal of where things are
right now in protecting women's sports and protecting women's spaces.
Speaker 2 (00:56):
Well, you're so right. Being there for that signing was
just of course, it was an experience that I'll never
forget in the visual that came from it, where I'm
sure you saw the clips. I'm sure you saw some
of the videos and the images that surface where you
have President Trump signing this executive order surrounded by all
these little girls. I mean they're five, six, seven, eight
(01:18):
years old, and they're wearing their jerseys. I loved it
other sports jersey. Wasn't it amazing?
Speaker 1 (01:22):
I watched it all arrive. I was beaman.
Speaker 2 (01:26):
As the little girls were. Their faces were so joyous
and excited. But you're right, I went into that knowing
that there would be states number one that of course
would not adhere, they would not comply to federal law,
to this executive order, and knowing of course that there
are are just about half the states, a little under
(01:47):
half the states that have not passed any sort of
state law themselves. So that's of course what we've seen.
We've seen the NC DOUBLEA. That's another entity that is
completely not fallen in compliance with this executive order. We
saw Congress. We's not passed the House, but we saw
this this bill that would codify this executive order fail
(02:10):
in the Senate, with all US Democrat senators voting in
opposition of this. So, look, while it's great that we
have seen the decisive swift action from President Trump, you're right,
the fart the fight is far from over, and the
war on look, it just hasn't been won yet.
Speaker 1 (02:29):
I'm curious where you think it's the most effective battlefield
for this thing. I have some thoughts, but I'd like yours.
Speaker 2 (02:38):
Well, what we have seen the most effective. It's public pressure.
It's amazing to me that we have had Democrats. Again.
I hate to make it partisan like that because the
reality of the situation is it's really not a partisan issue.
It's not polarizing at all. Actually, it's very unifying, and
we see that in the numbers. They say it's an
(02:59):
eighty two issue. I think it's more Jurassic than that.
But in terms of elected representation and how the media
is representing this issue, it really is partisan. So it's
amazing to me to see the elected Democrats doubled down.
I really thought on November fifth, when Donald Trump won,
that Democrats were going to distance themselves from their voting record,
(03:23):
act like they never took the stance be totally in
alignment with protecting women and girls in their private spaces.
But that's not at all what we've done. So what
we know works is public pressure. We need people we
need everyday, people who otherwise would have never been involved
in politics, people like myself. Look, I had no interest
in taking the position and stance that I did. You
(03:45):
know being thrust into the limelight and the way that
I have, But it's a necessity. It requires men, it
requires women, old, young, white, black, gay, straight, It doesn't matter.
None of those identity factors matter when you're dealing with
such an important and timely issue as women's rights.
Speaker 1 (04:06):
Regular listeners, ruminators of this radio program know, I have
been talking about this topic for years, and it pains
me that we've had to devote the time we've had
to devote to it. But I'm doing this in part
because I have granddaughters and I am determined to help
make sure that they have a place to compete, a
(04:26):
place to shower, change clothes. Riley, We're seeing stories. We
saw a story just this past week. We talked about it.
I know you posted on it in Oregon. A young
man beat women, young girls and took awards from young girls.
And it's absurd that we find ourselves even discussing this.
Speaker 2 (04:50):
That's the truth. I often think if our founding fathers
were still around and they saw some of these headlines
that are being published, they would be confused. Wouldn't even
understand what is being communicated, what is being said, They
wouldn't understand what trans woman trans men seeing she used
(05:10):
for a mugshot of a male who's imprisoned for either
murdering a child. We've seen some crazy stories when the
mugshot is very obviously a male. So yeah, what we
saw in Oregon, it's tragic, but truthfully, it's unsurprising. This
is a male who's competed for several years now, taking
(05:31):
opportunities away from girls. I've talked to several of the
girls he's competed against, who of course recognized the unfairness.
But they, truthfully, they don't know what to do. And look,
I will tell you I don't blame them. They're so
young to have to to know how best to defend themselves. Really,
the problem is the adults. Whether it's the parents, whether
(05:51):
it's the coaches, whether it's the athletic directors, the officials.
The adults have failed them and they're left to bear
the burden of defending themselves. It's really sad. But what
I do think we need to see in states where
this continues to happen like Oregon, Maye, Michigan, Minnesota, California, Washington,
the list goes on. What we need to see is
(06:13):
girls ultimately boycotting and that's what we've dubbed this. We've
dubbed it project boycott, with emphasis on the word boy.
And these girls they get on the track, they get
on the court at the field, and when there's a
boy on the other side of the net or a
boy in the lane next to them, they don't go
and looking. You know, that's easier said than done, but
(06:33):
that is the most powerful way to send the message
that enough is enough. I'm not going to be subjected
to this type of discrimination.
Speaker 1 (06:43):
Riley. I'm glad you said that. I want to run
two things by you and get your thoughts. Number one,
I've advocated that same thing for quite a while now,
just don't compete. However, I want to propose another idea,
because we're not getting the attention of enough pieceeople in
enough important places. What are your thoughts on organizing a
(07:04):
complete shutdown of girls athletics for one day sometime in
the fall or the winter. Give it time to be
organized where we get the attention of parents, and we
simply say it on this day, no girl's going to
compete in any athletic competition anywhere until we get this changed.
Speaker 2 (07:25):
Look, I think this is awesome we've I've thought about
this for a while. Of course, as you could imagine,
it would be hard to coordinate, and it of course
be hard to get everyone on board, but again it
would be really powerful. And so the day that I
propose is October tenth. And the reason why is because
it's the tenth day of the tenth month, which in
(07:45):
Roman numerals is x X, which of course is the
female chromosomes, the real fifth grade biology.
Speaker 1 (07:52):
See brilliant, you know that.
Speaker 2 (07:55):
And it's again, it sends a it sends a message
that cannot be ignored. That's what they've done for years.
That's especially what they did with President Biden and offices.
They just ignored us. They stone welled us. They didn't
give us a seat at the table to even have
the conversation. Well, guess what now, because of the current administration,
because of the political landscape across the country, because of
(08:18):
the shift in public opinion that we've visibly got to
see based on poll numbers, we do have a seat
at the table. We have a voice as women. It's
time we use it and we send the message again
that these regressive policies, it's in the name of progress,
in the name of feminism again. It's taking our rights
(08:40):
to equal opportunity as women away.
Speaker 1 (08:43):
I think it's a brilliant idea. I love the date.
I support it wholeheartedly. I think it has to be
more than just when there's a transgendered athlete competing. I
think it has to be we're going to protect women's sports,
girl sports, and girl spaces. The second thing I wanted
to suggest, get your thoughts on. There are too many
things being kicked around about birth certificates. It can't be
(09:05):
birth certificates. It's got to be DNA testing.
Speaker 2 (09:08):
That's right. This is exactly what the NCAA is done
and why I said they're not incompliance. Yep, their new
policy that they have in place, it does it resorts
to birth certificates, which what we know is birth certificates
can be made fraudulent. They can be changed in all
but six states, and of course across the world. We've
seen some great action by Secretary of Saint Marco Rubio's
(09:32):
it pertains to the Olympics. He says, look, we're not
going to consider fraudulent passports in the Olympics as they're
hosted in the United States. In twenty twenty eight, so absolutely,
a simple cheek swab. People say it's invasive, the less
says it's invasive. Again, was the COVID test, the swab
that touched my brain not invasive, if that's the standards.
(09:55):
Was the drug test we had to take in college
where you went into a bathroom, you have someone standing
at the stall door watching you. You dropped your pants
to your ankles, you lifted your shirt up to the
three sixty and then teeing the cup while they continue
to watch you. Is that not necessarily invasive? It's silly.
It's stupid to say it's invasive. It's a simple cheek
(10:16):
swab or saliva test.
Speaker 1 (10:18):
Lastly, you are coming to Florida State University, and of
course we are right in the heart of it all
right here this Friday at the Bellany Build, Bellamy Building,
Room zero zero two to one on Collegiate Loop. Tell
people what they can expect if they come to the event.
Speaker 2 (10:38):
Man, I'm so excited. Of course, you can expect a
more in depth conversation as to what we've talked about.
It's hard to get into it in these six seven
minute you know, little time spots, but a more in
depth account of not just my personal experience, but you're right,
the landscape of where we are, the winds that we've seen,
of course the work that's still needs to be done.
(11:01):
I love getting on college campuses. I love engaging with
the youth, really trying to mobilize the youth, and we
saw how important that was again on November fifth. I
don't think we would have won the Swing States we did,
especially had the youth not turned out in droves for
Donald Trump.
Speaker 1 (11:20):
I can't I can't thank you enough for what you're doing. Riley.
You have you have a microphone and time here anytime
you want it, so let your folks know anytime you
want to get an announcement out, want to join me
on the show, We're here for you.
Speaker 2 (11:33):
You got it, you got it. Thank you so much.
Speaker 1 (11:36):
Thank you Riley Gaines with us this morning, and again
the fight is far from over. College Tour coming to
FSU this week Friday. Doors open at six, the event
at six thirty Bellamy Building, Room twenty one one thirteen
Collegiate Loop. So pull out your Google Map because driving
around the campus is a challenge. I've recommended they have
(11:58):
friendly ambassador in the area because not all of you
know the college campus very well, and that they have
people helping you get to the right building. Know this,
there will be people that oppose, and that's why I
want that crowd overwhelmed by you. Support what Riley is doing.
(12:20):
When I say she's literally put her life on the
line to protect girls sports, that is a literal statement
of truth. Support what she's doing. Forty nine minutes past
Thirty five minutes past the hour, not wasting a moment
of her time, Riley gains with us this morning, founder
of the Riley Gaines Center at the Leadership Institute. She's
been with us before. In fact, the last time Riley
was with us she later that day, was there when
President Donald Trump signed and signed an executive order trying
(00:23):
to protect women's sports and spaces. Riley, welcome back. How
are you.
Speaker 2 (00:30):
Well, I'm fantastic. It is so good to be on
with you.
Speaker 1 (00:33):
I remember that day. I remember seeing your face when
he signed that document and handed you a pen, but
you knew deep down that that was not going to
get this thing done. Hence, the fight is far from over. Tour.
Tell us kind of your appraisal of where things are
right now in protecting women's sports and protecting women's spaces.
Speaker 2 (00:56):
Well, you're so right. Being there for that signing was
just of course, it was an experience that I'll never
forget in the visual that came from it, where I'm
sure you saw the clips. I'm sure you saw some
of the videos and the images that surface where you
have President Trump signing this executive order surrounded by all
these little girls. I mean they're five, six, seven, eight
(01:18):
years old, and they're wearing their jerseys. I loved it
other sports jersey. Wasn't it amazing?
Speaker 1 (01:22):
I watched it all arrive. I was beaman.
Speaker 2 (01:26):
As the little girls were. Their faces were so joyous
and excited. But you're right, I went into that knowing
that there would be states number one that of course
would not adhere, they would not comply to federal law,
to this executive order, and knowing of course that there
are are just about half the states, a little under
(01:47):
half the states that have not passed any sort of
state law themselves. So that's of course what we've seen.
We've seen the NC DOUBLEA. That's another entity that is
completely not fallen in compliance with this executive order. We
saw Congress. We's not passed the House, but we saw
this this bill that would codify this executive order fail
(02:10):
in the Senate, with all US Democrat senators voting in
opposition of this. So, look, while it's great that we
have seen the decisive swift action from President Trump, you're right,
the fart the fight is far from over, and the
war on look, it just hasn't been won yet.
Speaker 1 (02:29):
I'm curious where you think it's the most effective battlefield
for this thing. I have some thoughts, but I'd like yours.
Speaker 2 (02:38):
Well, what we have seen the most effective. It's public pressure.
It's amazing to me that we have had Democrats. Again.
I hate to make it partisan like that because the
reality of the situation is it's really not a partisan issue.
It's not polarizing at all. Actually, it's very unifying, and
we see that in the numbers. They say it's an
(02:59):
eighty two issue. I think it's more Jurassic than that.
But in terms of elected representation and how the media
is representing this issue, it really is partisan. So it's
amazing to me to see the elected Democrats doubled down.
I really thought on November fifth, when Donald Trump won,
that Democrats were going to distance themselves from their voting record,
(03:23):
act like they never took the stance be totally in
alignment with protecting women and girls in their private spaces.
But that's not at all what we've done. So what
we know works is public pressure. We need people we
need everyday, people who otherwise would have never been involved
in politics, people like myself. Look, I had no interest
in taking the position and stance that I did. You
(03:45):
know being thrust into the limelight and the way that
I have, But it's a necessity. It requires men, it
requires women, old, young, white, black, gay, straight, It doesn't matter.
None of those identity factors matter when you're dealing with
such an important and timely issue as women's rights.
Speaker 1 (04:06):
Regular listeners, ruminators of this radio program know, I have
been talking about this topic for years, and it pains
me that we've had to devote the time we've had
to devote to it. But I'm doing this in part
because I have granddaughters and I am determined to help
make sure that they have a place to compete, a
(04:26):
place to shower, change clothes. Riley, We're seeing stories. We
saw a story just this past week. We talked about it.
I know you posted on it in Oregon. A young
man beat women, young girls and took awards from young girls.
And it's absurd that we find ourselves even discussing this.
Speaker 2 (04:50):
That's the truth. I often think if our founding fathers
were still around and they saw some of these headlines
that are being published, they would be confused. Wouldn't even
understand what is being communicated, what is being said, They
wouldn't understand what trans woman trans men seeing she used
(05:10):
for a mugshot of a male who's imprisoned for either
murdering a child. We've seen some crazy stories when the
mugshot is very obviously a male. So yeah, what we
saw in Oregon, it's tragic, but truthfully, it's unsurprising. This
is a male who's competed for several years now, taking
(05:31):
opportunities away from girls. I've talked to several of the
girls he's competed against, who of course recognized the unfairness.
But they, truthfully, they don't know what to do. And look,
I will tell you I don't blame them. They're so
young to have to to know how best to defend themselves. Really,
the problem is the adults. Whether it's the parents, whether
(05:51):
it's the coaches, whether it's the athletic directors, the officials.
The adults have failed them and they're left to bear
the burden of defending themselves. It's really sad. But what
I do think we need to see in states where
this continues to happen like Oregon, Maye, Michigan, Minnesota, California, Washington,
the list goes on. What we need to see is
(06:13):
girls ultimately boycotting and that's what we've dubbed this. We've
dubbed it project boycott, with emphasis on the word boy.
And these girls they get on the track, they get
on the court at the field, and when there's a
boy on the other side of the net or a
boy in the lane next to them, they don't go
and looking. You know, that's easier said than done, but
(06:33):
that is the most powerful way to send the message
that enough is enough. I'm not going to be subjected
to this type of discrimination.
Speaker 1 (06:43):
Riley. I'm glad you said that. I want to run
two things by you and get your thoughts. Number one,
I've advocated that same thing for quite a while now,
just don't compete. However, I want to propose another idea,
because we're not getting the attention of enough pieceeople in
enough important places. What are your thoughts on organizing a
(07:04):
complete shutdown of girls athletics for one day sometime in
the fall or the winter. Give it time to be
organized where we get the attention of parents, and we
simply say it on this day, no girl's going to
compete in any athletic competition anywhere until we get this changed.
Speaker 2 (07:25):
Look, I think this is awesome we've I've thought about
this for a while. Of course, as you could imagine,
it would be hard to coordinate, and it of course
be hard to get everyone on board, but again it
would be really powerful. And so the day that I
propose is October tenth. And the reason why is because
it's the tenth day of the tenth month, which in
(07:45):
Roman numerals is x X, which of course is the
female chromosomes, the real fifth grade biology.
Speaker 1 (07:52):
See brilliant, you know that.
Speaker 2 (07:55):
And it's again, it sends a it sends a message
that cannot be ignored. That's what they've done for years.
That's especially what they did with President Biden and offices.
They just ignored us. They stone welled us. They didn't
give us a seat at the table to even have
the conversation. Well, guess what now, because of the current administration,
because of the political landscape across the country, because of
(08:18):
the shift in public opinion that we've visibly got to
see based on poll numbers, we do have a seat
at the table. We have a voice as women. It's
time we use it and we send the message again
that these regressive policies, it's in the name of progress,
in the name of feminism again. It's taking our rights
(08:40):
to equal opportunity as women away.
Speaker 1 (08:43):
I think it's a brilliant idea. I love the date.
I support it wholeheartedly. I think it has to be
more than just when there's a transgendered athlete competing. I
think it has to be we're going to protect women's sports,
girl sports, and girl spaces. The second thing I wanted
to suggest, get your thoughts on. There are too many
things being kicked around about birth certificates. It can't be
(09:05):
birth certificates. It's got to be DNA testing.
Speaker 2 (09:08):
That's right. This is exactly what the NCAA is done
and why I said they're not incompliance. Yep, their new
policy that they have in place, it does it resorts
to birth certificates, which what we know is birth certificates
can be made fraudulent. They can be changed in all
but six states, and of course across the world. We've
seen some great action by Secretary of Saint Marco Rubio's
(09:32):
it pertains to the Olympics. He says, look, we're not
going to consider fraudulent passports in the Olympics as they're
hosted in the United States. In twenty twenty eight, so absolutely,
a simple cheek swab. People say it's invasive, the less
says it's invasive. Again, was the COVID test, the swab
that touched my brain not invasive, if that's the standards.
(09:55):
Was the drug test we had to take in college
where you went into a bathroom, you have someone standing
at the stall door watching you. You dropped your pants
to your ankles, you lifted your shirt up to the
three sixty and then teeing the cup while they continue
to watch you. Is that not necessarily invasive? It's silly.
It's stupid to say it's invasive. It's a simple cheek
(10:16):
swab or saliva test.
Speaker 1 (10:18):
Lastly, you are coming to Florida State University, and of
course we are right in the heart of it all
right here this Friday at the Bellany Build, Bellamy Building,
Room zero zero two to one on Collegiate Loop. Tell
people what they can expect if they come to the event.
Speaker 2 (10:38):
Man, I'm so excited. Of course, you can expect a
more in depth conversation as to what we've talked about.
It's hard to get into it in these six seven
minute you know, little time spots, but a more in
depth account of not just my personal experience, but you're right,
the landscape of where we are, the winds that we've seen,
of course the work that's still needs to be done.
(11:01):
I love getting on college campuses. I love engaging with
the youth, really trying to mobilize the youth, and we
saw how important that was again on November fifth. I
don't think we would have won the Swing States we did,
especially had the youth not turned out in droves for
Donald Trump.
Speaker 1 (11:20):
I can't I can't thank you enough for what you're doing. Riley.
You have you have a microphone and time here anytime
you want it, so let your folks know anytime you
want to get an announcement out, want to join me
on the show, We're here for you.
Speaker 2 (11:33):
You got it, you got it. Thank you so much.
Speaker 1 (11:36):
Thank you Riley Gaines with us this morning, and again
the fight is far from over. College Tour coming to
FSU this week Friday. Doors open at six, the event
at six thirty Bellamy Building, Room twenty one one thirteen
Collegiate Loop. So pull out your Google Map because driving
around the campus is a challenge. I've recommended they have
(11:58):
friendly ambassador in the area because not all of you
know the college campus very well, and that they have
people helping you get to the right building. Know this,
there will be people that oppose, and that's why I
want that crowd overwhelmed by you. Support what Riley is doing.
(12:20):
When I say she's literally put her life on the
line to protect girls sports, that is a literal statement
of truth. Support what she's doing. Forty nine minutes past
Popular Podcasts
Fudd Around And Find Out
UConn basketball star Azzi Fudd brings her championship swag to iHeart Women’s Sports with Fudd Around and Find Out, a weekly podcast that takes fans along for the ride as Azzi spends her final year of college trying to reclaim the National Championship and prepare to be a first round WNBA draft pick. Ever wonder what it’s like to be a world-class athlete in the public spotlight while still managing schoolwork, friendships and family time? It’s time to Fudd Around and Find Out!
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.