Ilana Glazer Critiques Riley Gaines
Ilana Glazer, an Emmy Award winner, recently took issue with Riley Gaines, a former NCAA swimmer who has become known for her anti-trans activism. In a podcast released on Thursday, Glazer and her guest Matt Bernstein shared sharp critiques of Gaines, labeling her part of a harsh right-wing movement.
Bernstein, who describes herself humorously as a “long-nailed queer Jew,” didn’t hold back when discussing Gaines, branding her a bully and critiquing her actions for profiting off vulnerable individuals.
Unpacking the Controversy
They both emphasized that Gaines seems particularly upset about her fifth-place finish in a swim meet against a trans woman. “She’s upset that she lost fifth place to a trans woman in a swim meet,” Bernstein remarked.
Gaines indeed finished fifth in the 2022 NCAA women’s 200-yard freestyle finals, a meet where William “Leah” Thomas also competed and won the women’s 500-yard freestyle, earning national champion status. Interestingly, Thomas is noted to have ranked 554th when competing in men’s NCAA swimming, raising questions about the dynamics of competition.
Gaines’ Stance on Women’s Sports
In the podcast, Glazer criticized Gaines for trying to establish policies that would restrict women’s sports to biological females, calling such initiatives misguided and harmful. She drew a connection between Gaines’ rhetoric and the broader anti-trans messages that can spark real harm towards trans women, suggesting a lack of originality in Gaines’ approach.
Bernstein added that Gaines and similar activists are turning a blind eye to statistics and realities about trans individuals, pointing out that they profit from the experiences of a marginalized group.
Acknowledging Past Comments
However, it’s notable that in a past interview with the Daily Wire following the 2022 contest, Gaines expressed support for Thomas’s transition and swimming career, remarking, “I’m sure she’s working hard.” This acknowledgment complicates the narrative surrounding Gaines’ current perspectives.
In the podcast, Bernstein suggested Gaines ought to simply or “move on” and extend good wishes to Thomas. Glazer even referred to Gaines’ approach as a “money-making scheme,” linking it to a broader narrative of being a victim.
