- The swimmer gave her graduation speech at Adrian College on Sunday.
- A university administrator silently protested his speech with a trans flag
Riley Gaines slammed a “cowardly” college administrator who protested her Adrian College commencement speech by wearing a trans flag, but took it off before turning around.
The swimmer, 24 years old, led to to lash out at the educator, saying he didn’t even notice his silent protest until he rewatched his speech.
“In truly cowardly fashion, the administrator behind me covered himself with a trans flag only after I reached the podium and took it off before I turned to look,” she said.
‘However, I received a standing ovation from the graduates, friends and families present. Thanks to Adrian College for the invitation!’
Riley Gaines took the podium at Adrian College on Sunday to give a commencement speech, but an administrator decided to silently protest her comments.
The administrator draped a trans flag over his shoulder in an apparent protest of Gaines’ opposition to the inclusion of transgender athletes in women’s sports.
The swimmer, 24, took to X to lash out at the “cowardly” educator, saying she didn’t even notice his silent protest until she rewatched his speech.
Gaines has openly opposed the inclusion of transgender athletes in women’s sports, arguing that biological males have a physical advantage.
In his commencement speech at Adrian College, a liberal arts institution in Michigan, on May 5, Gaines alluded to the backlash he has faced for his views.
“Freedom of thought and expression should be valued by everyone,” she began, as the administrator sitting behind her carried the trans flag over his shoulder.
“In a world where ideas are increasingly polarized and dissent is often met with hostility, never underestimate the power of your voice to provoke change and challenge the status quo.”
Adrian College did not immediately respond to a request for comment from DailyMail.com.
In the past, Gaines has been criticized by those who accuse her of being transphobic, accusations she rejected Ash Bee last year as something that “literally has no weight or meaning.”
This included a shocking encounter last April when Gaines was forced to barricade herself in a room after being chased by screaming trans activists during an appearance at San Francisco State University.
Gaines has been an outspoken opponent of the inclusion of transgender athletes in women’s sports, notably competing against controversial transgender swimmer Lia Thomas (pictured together) at the 2022 NCAA Championships.
As his outspoken opposition to transgender inclusion sparked controversy, Gaines used his commencement speech to insist that graduates not shy away from criticism.
“Speak the truth bravely, even when it is unpopular, because through dialogue and debate we will grow as individuals and as a society,” he said.
‘Never lose sight of the importance of the freedoms this country was built on.
“Now is the time to unleash your skills, knowledge and talents and make a difference.”
Gaines’ speech came weeks after he launched a legal challenge to the Biden administration’s Title IX transgender protections.
He joined nine Republican-led states and several conservative groups fighting new rules that prohibit federally funded schools and universities from discriminating against students based on their gender identity in sports.
“Let’s be clear: This is the most anti-woman, anti-reality persecution we’ve seen in this administration yet,” Gaines said in April.
By expanding protections to trans students, the Biden administration is making it easier for biological males to compete on women’s and girls’ sports teams at schools and colleges, Gaines said.