Former NCAA swimmer Riley Gaines has recently opened up about her terrifying experience of being attacked by protesters in San Francisco. In an interview with OutKick, Gaines recounted the April incident when she was “ambushed” by protesters at San Francisco State University after delivering a speech on the importance of saving women's sports on campus. The athlete, who has been vocal about her concerns regarding transgender women participating in female sports, expressed her fear for her life during the incident. She spoke vividly about the chants and threats she heard from the protesters, claiming that they wanted to injure and even kill her. Despite the horrifying experience, Gaines revealed that the physical attacks from the protesters didn't hurt much, referring to them as "men in dresses" and insinuating that their punches were weak.

Gaines's activism against transgender women in female sports brought her to Penn State University for a Real Women's Day event. However, during her speech on campus, chaos ensued as two individuals were detained by the police. One officer reported that they were arrested for disorderly conduct. The incident occurred when the two individuals approached a table on campus, with one of them knocking objects off it and the other flipping it over. As Gaines's speech progressed, dozens of protesters arrived, chanting "trans lives matter." This clash of opinions sparked controversy and further highlighted the ongoing debate on transgender participation in women's sports.

The former collegiate swimmer took to social media to share a video in which Penn State President Neeli Bendapudi explained that as a public university, they are obliged to allow speakers with controversial views, even if they're considered hateful by some. Bendapudi emphasized the importance of upholding the First Amendment rights and allowing diverse perspectives to be heard. However, a school professor expressed disagreement with Gaines's views, stating that she has "espoused hateful messages."

Leading up to her appearance at Penn State, it became evident that some faculty members did not want Gaines to speak on campus. Gaines herself announced that her speech had been canceled, but Penn State clarified in a statement to Fox News Digital that no event featuring Riley Gaines had been canceled. The university confirmed that Gaines is indeed scheduled to speak at the Real Women's Day event, but one professor had devised a plan for students to protest the occasion. In an email obtained by Fox News Digital, the professor informed her students about a “Dignity Day” event taking place at the same time as Gaines's speech. The professor suggested that Dignity Day could act as a counter to the perceived hateful messages espoused by Gaines. It remains unclear whether the university supports the professor's assertion that Gaines's statements equate to hate speech.

Penn State clarified that the delay in confirming the event was due to Turning Point USA, the student organization responsible for bringing Gaines to campus, not meeting the deadline for submitting the required reservation documents. However, the university assured that they have been working with the student organization to ensure a safe event that adheres to university policies and upholds First Amendment rights. The controversy surrounding Gaines's appearance at Penn State raises questions about free speech, differing perspectives on gender and sports, and the challenges of fostering a respectful and inclusive campus environment.