Over the weekend, a pair of transgender cyclists made headlines when they won first and second place at a major women’s competition, and anti-trans activist Riley Gaines is not happy about it.
Tessa Johnson and Evelyn Williamson competed in the women’s Single Speed category at the Illinois State Cyclocross Championships on Sunday where they finished at the top of the standings, taking first and second place respectively. And Riley Gaines was not happy about it.
“Two men take 1st & 2nd at the Illinois State Cyclocross Championships yesterday. @usacycling has 2 categories for men and none for women,” Gaines said in a post on X, the social media website that was formerly known as Twitter. “Any woman who concedes and doesn’t compete, I will personally pay them the prize money they’re missing out on. Stop participating in the farce”
Two men take 1st & 2nd at the Illinois State Cyclocross Championships yesterday. @usacycling has 2 categories for men and none for women
Any woman who concedes and doesn't compete, I will personally pay them the prize money they're missing out on. Stop participating in the farce pic.twitter.com/MbFc2av95y
— Riley Gaines (@Riley_Gaines_) December 4, 2023
Gaines reiterated her promise in a follow-up tweet the following day.
Any woman who doesn't compete and loses out on prize money, I will happily pay the fee out of my own pocket. In any sport.
Stop. Playing. Their. Game. https://t.co/S3kEVQTW7H
— Riley Gaines (@Riley_Gaines_) December 5, 2023
“Any woman who doesn’t compete and loses out on prize money, I will happily pay the fee out of my own pocket. In any sport. Stop. Playing. Their. Game,” Gaines said in her post.
Gaines is a former NCAA swimmer who has since dedicated her life to speaking out against transgender women competing in women’s sports.
