Last year, the NCAA nominated controversial anti-transgender rights activist Riley Gaines for Woman of the Year.
This year, however, she doesn’t seem to be as popular with the organization.
Gaines, speaking to OutKick, revealed that she was barred from entering the organization’s annual celebration despite previously obtaining the needed credentials.
“I said, ‘Hold on, what do you mean I’m not allowed in there?’” Riley told the outlet. “I pulled up the email and showed them everything was in place to where I most certainly was allowed in there. And they said, ‘No, we know you have your credentials. But that’s not what we’re talking about. You’re just not allowed in there.’”
Gaines speculated she knew the reason for the surprising denial.
“It was clear to me — and it was clear to all my friends who were there with me — that they had simply pulled me aside when Charlie Baker was walking by,” Riley explained. “So I didn’t have the opportunity to talk to him until he was safely secured in a completely separate room. It was evident.”
Gaines also relayed that a representative for the NCAA thought Gaines would disrupt the event.
“I’m here to support these girls,” Riley said. “By no means would I want to distract or take anything away from them. That’s the silliest thing I’ve ever heard.”
[OutKick]
