Riley Gaines, a former competitor of Lia Thomas in the 2022 NCAA swimming championships, took to Twitter on Sunday to criticize the transgender swimmer. Gaines wrote that Thomas was not a “brave, courageous woman who EARNED a national title,” but instead described her as an “arrogant cheat who STOLE a national title from a hardworking, deserving woman.” Gaines placed responsibility for the situation on the NCAA.

Lia Thomas is not a brave, courageous woman who EARNED a national title. He is an arrogant, cheat who STOLE a national title from a hardworking, deserving woman. The @ncaa is responsible.

If I was a woman working at ESPN, I would walk out. You're spineless @espn #boycottESPN https://t.co/DF3n5RWsmV

— Riley Gaines (@Riley_Gaines_) March 26, 2023

The comments came in response to a segment on ESPN honoring Thomas as part of Women’s History Month. Gaines, who is a spokeswoman for the Independent Women’s Forum, has previously spoken out against Thomas and said she feels an obligation to do so because no one else will.

ESPN celebrated Women’s History Month by promoting a special about transgender swimmer Lia Thomas……a biological male who destroyed real women in the pool. pic.twitter.com/gVLa0rz2NN

— David Hookstead (@dhookstead) March 26, 2023

In an interview with the Washington Examiner in February, Gaines said, “That’s when I realized it’s my duty as a female athlete who experienced this injustice to really use my voice and my platform to advocate for those female athletes who are emotionally blackmailed and gaslit into silence.”

The controversy over Thomas’ participation in women’s sports comes as the GOP-led House announced plans to take up laws prohibiting biological males from competing in women’s sports. The NCAA has yet to issue a statement in response to Gaines’ comments.

Thomas was a part of the University of Pennsylvania’s men’s swimming team for three seasons before joining the women’s team after the 2020-2021 season was canceled due to COVID-19.

“The biggest misconception, I think, is the reason I transitioned,” Thomas told ESPN. “People will say, ‘Oh, she just transitioned so she would have an advantage, so she could win.’ I transitioned to be happy, to be true to myself.”

Thomas has been the subject of controversy since the athlete began winning competitions meant for biological females. This is part of a larger debate over transgender females competing with biological women in various sporting events. Progressives claim there is nothing wrong with having these individuals participate in these sports. But those with common sense can clearly see that one who is born as a male has a distinct physical advantage over a person who was born as a female.

How do those on the far left respond to this rational argument? By labeling the one giving it as an anti-trans bigot. This makes sense as there is no sensible argument for women being able to successfully compete with men. Folks who support this wish to coerce the public into celebrating this tomfoolery while remaining silent on what is obvious.

Harry Potter author JK Rowling, along with others, has gotten herself in hot water for simply suggesting that this current push to foist progressive transgender ideology on the rest of the public is damaging to actual women. Nevertheless, Republican politicians have been taking steps to address this. These states include Arkansas, Alabama, Florida, Idaho, Mississippi, Montana, Tennessee, and West Virginia. Others are considering legislation to this effect as well.