Former NCAA swimmer Riley Gaines, who has been an advocate for women's sports and has been vocal about her concerns regarding transgender females' participation in women's sports, is scheduled to speak at the University of California, Davis in November as part of the Speak Louder Campus Tour, sponsored by the Riley Gaines Center at the Leadership Institute. However, event management and ticketing website Eventbrite recently removed the event listing for Gaines' speech, titled "Protecting Women's Sports with Riley Gaines," stating that it violated their "community guidelines and terms of service." The email from Eventbrite Trust & Safety warned that repeated violations could result in the removal of the account from their platform.

Eventbrite's decision to remove Gaines' event has sparked controversy, as it raises questions about the platform's selective enforcement of their policies. While Gaines' event promoting the importance of women's safety, fairness, and equal opportunities in sports was deemed in violation of their guidelines, several other controversial events, including one titled "Stop the Genocide! Free Palestine!" organized by the group Tempest NYC, remain active on the platform. The event description for the Palestine-focused event highlights Israel's actions against Gaza and emphasizes the importance of international solidarity for Palestinian liberation.

The disparate treatment of Gaines' event and the promotion of events sympathetic to a terrorist group like Hamas has led to criticism of Eventbrite's priorities and values. Gaines herself expressed disappointment in Eventbrite's decision, stating that the platform's actions send a clear message against women's rights. She emphasized that being pro-woman in women's sports should not be seen as anti-trans, and that ensuring fairness and equal opportunities for women does not undermine the rights of transgender individuals.

The controversy surrounding Eventbrite's handling of Gaines' event highlights the sensitivity and polarization surrounding the topic of transgender inclusion in women's sports. While a Gallup poll suggests that a majority of Americans believe transgender athletes should only compete on teams that align with their birth gender, many individuals and organizations may choose to align with the prevailing narrative to avoid potential backlash or consequences. Eventbrite's decision to remove Gaines' event yet allow events promoting the messaging of Hamas raises questions about the platform's stance on different issues and the potential bias in their policies.

Despite the removal of her event listing, Gaines remains committed to delivering her speech at UC Davis next month. She believes that Eventbrite's actions have further highlighted the importance of advocating for women's rights in the face of opposition and discrimination. Gaines' determination to speak out against what she sees as the marginalization of women in sports reflects the ongoing debate and tensions surrounding transgender inclusion and women's rights.