Former University of Kentucky swimmer Riley Gaines said it was hilarious Pennsylvania State University was blocking her talk on Real Women’s Day. .“Have it your way,” tweeted Gaines. .“See ya tomorrow with a soap box and megaphone, Penn State!”.Gaines attached a video from Penn State President Neeli Bendapudi saying she does not doubt this school year will see students encounter speakers with controversial views. .“I share the concern of those who believe the messages spread by some individuals are not only offensive, but deeply hurtful,” said Bendapudi. .“And again, I stand in unity with those who condemn such speakers and their rhetoric.” .If people object to these speakers’ views, she said they might be asking why they cannot be banned from Penn State. She pointed out this is because it is bound by the First Amendment. .The Independent Women’s Forum (IWF) defended Gaines by saying it is “shocking to hear the president of a major public university use language like ‘bound to the First Amendment’ as if it’s a BAD thing to have free speech on campus.”.“Shouldn’t universities like Penn State welcome a wide array of viewpoints and perspectives as an expression of our First Amendment rights?” said the IWF. .“We can’t wait to hear what @Riley_Gaines_ has to say — and the students at PSU should push back against this toxic narrative from their university president, who clearly doesn’t know what a ‘bigot’ is.”.A trophy Gaines was supposed to receive was given instead to transgender woman swimmer Lia Thomas in March. .READ MORE: Female swimmer denied trophy in favour of transgender male.When she questioned a National Collegiate Athletics Association official about the decision, she was told Thomas had to have it for photo purposes. The official said she could pose with it, but she would go home empty handed. .“It hit me across the head,” she said.
