Riley Gaines: Title IX Was Meant to Protect Women, Not Erase Us

Riley Gaines, a 12-time NCAA All-American swimmer, has become a prominent voice in the ongoing debate over the interpretation and implementation of Title IX. For over five decades, this landmark law has been instrumental in advancing women’s rights and opportunities, particularly in the realm of sports. As she reflects on its 53-year legacy, Gaines emphasizes the importance of preserving Title IX’s original intent to protect women based on biological sex, rather than allowing it to be redefined by radical gender ideology.

The law, passed in 1972, was a transformative moment for women, enabling them to participate in athletics and access educational opportunities. Gaines, who credits Title IX for her own athletic career and personal development, is a vocal advocate for maintaining the law’s purpose. She highlights how the law was systematically undermined by policies that allowed men who identify as women to compete in women’s sports, access women’s locker rooms, and displace female athletes. These changes, she argues, represent a deliberate effort to dismantle the very structure that was built to elevate women.

Gaines points to the Obama and Biden administrations for their role in redefining Title IX, which she views as a betrayal of the law’s original purpose. She credits President Trump for taking significant steps to restore the law’s intent, including the reinstatement of the biological definition of sex under Title IX and the establishment of a new Title IX Special Investigations Unit to hold institutions accountable. These measures, she argues, are crucial for protecting women’s opportunities and ensuring fair competition.

The debate over Title IX has broader implications beyond sports, as it touches on issues of civil rights, gender identity, and institutional integrity. Gaines’ call to action is aimed at preserving the legacy of Title IX for future generations of women athletes and advocates. As the law continues to be a focal point of political and societal discourse, its impact remains significant for women’s rights and opportunities across the country.