Soccer player at center of West Virginia transgender sports fight ‘incensed’ over Riley Gaines attack

A former soccer player from West Virginia State University, Lainey Armistead, who won championships, was at the center of the fight to preserve the state’s Save Women’s Sports Act preserving women’s sports just felt “incensed” after a mob of transgender protesters “brutally attacked” former swimmer Riley Gaines. Armistead and her counsel with the Alliance Defending Freedom are suing to maintain the state law, Save Women’s Sports Act, in court, which aims to prevent biologically male students who identify as transgender women from playing on female school sports teams.

Riley Gaines had objected to a biological male transitioning to a female, competing with her in swim competitions when attacked by the group of protesters.

When asked her opinion on this violent attack on Gaines, Armistead said that she was disturbed yet encouraged by the response. She saw how much support that Riley got throughout the whole thing. And the people have begun to realize that it’s just shocking whenever a woman is brutally attacked and forced into a closet for three hours because she’s speaking out for her rights to compete, and other women want to fight for that. This response was both discouraging but empowering.

Armistead, 23, also said the footage of Gaines made her “incensed,” adding that they want to fight and are ready to battle for their playing field.

The Supreme Court’s denial to take up the case of the Save Women’s Sports Act allows biological men to play in women’s sports while the lawsuit plays out in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit. Only Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas wrote that they would have allowed the state law to be enforced against the student. ADF legal counsel Rachel Csutoros said that they are submitting new briefs to the 4th Circuit within a matter of weeks, but noted that it could take several months before a court panel hears the case.

“West Virginia’s law ensures that it’s consistent with Title Nine, and it is constitutional, and it’s protecting women and girls and their ability to compete in sports,” Csutoros said.

Family Policy Alliance estimates that as many as 18 states have passed laws protecting female athletes from unfair competitors in their respective divisions. Armistead said that with the state legislators continuing to pass these laws, it shows how popular they are. “We are very encouraged that these legislators are telling women that we matter and that we’re important and that we don’t just deserve equal opportunities in life, we also deserve them on the field.