In March of 2024, Riley Gaines along with Independent Council on Women’s Sports (ICONS) and over a dozen college athletes filed an official lawsuit against the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).
In this lawsuit, Gaines claimed that the NCAA violated the Title IX safeguards by allowing a male competitor, Will (Lia) Thomas, to compete on the women’s team.
This resulted in both an unfair biological advantage, but also allowed the invasion of a biological male into a female-designated locker room. Gaines recalled the profound shock and humiliation of being forced—along with her teammates—to change and shower in the presence of a biological male.
On September 28th, U.S. District Judge Tiffany R. Johnson dismissed their lawsuit – claiming that the NCAA does not need to abide by Title IX regulations since it does not receive federal funding.
In a statement, ICONS commented,
“Judge Johnson accepted the NCAA’s argument that the NCAA is not subject to Title IX and dismissed the case Gaines v. NCAA, brought by women college athletes seeking to hold the NCAA responsible for granting men access to women’s sports and private locker rooms…
This decision removes all protections for women in NCAA collegiate competition across the country and underscores the vulnerability of women’s sports until court victories are secured.”
It has been correctly noted, however, that while the NCAA may not itself receive federal funding, the more than 1,000 colleges it represents do. This means the NCAA must still be held to the same Title IX standards as colleges which receive federal funding.
Riley Gaines quickly announced her intention to appeal this decision.
“This momentary setback will not deter me or other women athletes in the least…
Rest assured, we will be appealing this decision. We are on the side of truth. I am confident Americans will rally to our side to fight the NCAA.”
The NCAA’s blatant disregard for the biological differences between men and women is egregious enough. Add to this that the NCAA is continuing to place female athletes in uncomfortable and dangerous environments with biological males is downright evil and frightening.
Pray that Riley Gaines’ appeal is successful and that the NCAA is forced to protect female athletes in women’s sports.
