Olympic gymnastics icon Simone Biles has come out swinging in defense of the transgender community, calling out former NCAA swimmer Riley Gaines for her ongoing attacks against transgender athletes. The exchange unfolded over social media after a Minnesota high school softball championship featured a standout performance by a transgender athlete.
The Champlin Park Rebels clinched the Class AAAA girls’ softball state title on Friday, triumphing over Bloomington Jefferson 6–0. Junior pitcher Marissa Rothenberger, who is transgender, delivered a masterful complete-game shutout, allowing only three hits and striking out six. Rothenberger pitched all 21 innings of the tournament, giving up just two runs across three games, and was named to the All-Tournament team for her outstanding performance.
Rather than celebrate the team’s achievement, Gaines took to social media to criticize Rothenberger’s inclusion. Calling Rothenberger a “boy,” she denounced Minnesota’s decision to let her compete in the girls’ division, continuing a familiar pattern of targeting transgender athletes.
Biles, a seven-time Olympic medalist, was quick to respond. “@Riley_Gaines_ You’re truly sick, all of this campaigning because you lost a race. Straight up sore loser,” Biles wrote in a post on Twitter. She added in a follow-up, “You should be uplifting the trans community… Maybe a transgender category in ALL sports! But instead… You bully them.”
Biles didn’t stop there, adding, “Bully someone your own size, which would ironically be a male @Riley_Gaines_.”
Gaines, who has become a central figure in anti-trans sports campaigns after tying for fifth place against transgender swimmer Lia Thomas in 2022, clapped back at Biles. She accused the Olympic champion of being a “male-apologist at the expense of young girls’ dreams,” and continued her transphobic commentary, stating, “Men don’t belong in women’s sports and I say that with my full chest.”
Biles’ words resonated deeply with transgender athletes and allies, many of whom see Gaines’ relentless attacks as thinly veiled transphobia disguised as concern for women’s sports. For many in the trans community, Biles’ direct support is a breath of fresh air and a sign of growing solidarity from high-profile voices.
“Simone Biles standing up like this matters,” said Cora Jennings, a former college track athlete and trans advocate. “She’s one of the greatest athletes of all time, and her words carry weight. It’s a huge boost for trans kids to know someone like her has their back.”
Trans advocates also highlight that Gaines’ campaign to demonize trans athletes is rooted in her personal bitterness about a race she didn’t even lose outright; she tied for fifth. “It’s not about fairness, it’s about control and exclusion,” Jennings added.
Biles’ defense of Rothenberger and transgender athletes everywhere is a powerful reminder that sports are meant to bring people together, not tear them apart. While Gaines continues to make headlines for her exclusionary rhetoric, Biles’ statements provide a hopeful counter-narrative, one that champions inclusion and challenges the real “sore losers” who can’t handle trans athletes succeeding.
For transgender individuals and their allies, Biles’ message is clear: you’re not alone. And you’re definitely not invisible.
