I want to take a moment to congratulate Riley Gaines for her triumphant moment at The White House earlier this week. I also want to congratulate everyone at the Independent Women’s Forum – including my business partner, Mary Sullivan – who was on hand to see the president sign an executive order that finally put an end to the idea that men should be allowed to compete in women’s sports. The attached photos came from her, and I’m delighted to share them here.
I don’t care what you think of Donald Trump, or how you feel about the blizzard of executive orders he’s signed over the last few weeks. Reasonable people can disagree over much of what he’s done, and much of what he’s about to do. But who can disagree with this? Who can find fault with acknowledging the biological and physical advantages that come with being born a man? Who can deny the courage of women like Riley Gaines, who fought back when doing so invited violence, and guaranteed accusations of bigotry and intolerance?
Riley was at the center of that witch hunt – a modern-day Crucible if there ever was one. But she wasn’t alone. Mary told me that dozens of other young women were present who had both the misfortune of competing against men, and the will to speak out against the assault on Title IX. Women like Payton McNabb. During her junior year of high school, Payton was violently struck in the head with a ball at a volleyball game by a male member of the opposing team. She now suffers from a slew of neurological issues, including partial paralysis 
and memory impairment. Payton has taken a stand for women’s sports at the state and national level—all while completing her bachelor’s degree. Her story is here, and if the schedules permit, I’d love to have her on the podcast to share it. https://www.iwf.org/female-athlete-stories/payton-mcnabb/
What made the abuse that Riley and Payton and so many others endured so completely disgraceful, was the fact that much of it came from feminists who should have had her back, and powerful men who should have protected her. But that wasn’t the worst of the betrayals. The worst betrayal came from millions of observers who saw the madness for what it was but did nothing to condemn it. Personally, I’m proud to have welcomed Riley onto my podcast last year, but I wish I’d done so sooner. Her courage was an inspiration to me, and to so many others. If you didn’t see our conversation, the whole thing is on YouTube. Or, if you’d prefer a ten-minute clip that sums it up, click here. It’s worth your time.
Mike
P.S. Here’s an article from someone who disagrees with me, vehemently. https://bit.ly/4jMvpTA The writer believes this latest executive order is proof positive that Trump is “persecuting the LGBTQ+ community.” Personally, I’m not persuaded. Like most Americans, I support gay rights. I also support an adult’s right to transition in whatever way they please. I’m also happy to address them by whatever pronoun they prefer, or whatever new name they choose for themselves. But that doesn’t mean I think that men should be allowed to compete in women’s sports. And how crazy is it, that saying so required a measure of courage that was – for a while there – in such short supply.