ADRIAN, MI – A person who opposes the inclusion of transgender athletes in women's sports will be the commencement speaker at Adrian College in May.
University of Kentucky swimmer Riley Gaines tied with University of Pennsylvania swimmer Leah Thomas in the 200-meter freestyle event at the 2022 NCAA National Championships. She has since become famous for protesting Thomas. The day before, Thomas became the first Division I athlete to publicly identify as transgender to win an NCAA title.
While Gaines sees trans athletes as discriminating against women, LGBTQ advocates see the issue as more complex. She has campaigned for legislation that would ban biological males who become women from participating in women's sports.
“This is an important issue that should be discussed at universities across the country,” Adrian College President Jeffrey Docking said in a statement. “Adrian University has never shied away from presenting and debating substantive differences of opinion on campus. In fact, this is exactly what the university is about, encouraging civil discussion of controversial issues. Get involved. We welcome Riley Gaines to our beautiful campus and are confident our students will be inspired by her commencement address.”
Adrian College's graduation ceremony is May 5th. For more information about the ceremony, visit adrian.edu/academics/registrar/graduation-information.
Gaines has said he has been escorted out by law enforcement during previous speaking engagements, including when he said he was physically hit twice during a visit to San Francisco State University last year. Adrian College Vice President Andrea Milner said Adrian College welcomes the opportunity to hear Gaines speak.
“We look forward to providing a welcoming atmosphere to Riley,” Milner said in a statement. “We are pleased to offer our graduates an opportunity to expand their understanding of world issues and inspire them as they embark on their future endeavors.”
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