History of Riley Gaines in Timeline

Riley Gaines Barker is an American conservative political activist and former competitive swimmer. A 12-time NCAA All-American for the University of Kentucky, she retired from swimming to focus on activism. Gaines is primarily known for her vocal stance against the participation of transgender women in women's sports, advocating for policies she believes protect fairness and safety for female athletes. She has become a prominent voice in the debate surrounding transgender rights and sports.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

April 21, 2000: Riley Gaines Born

On April 21, 2000, Riley Marie Gaines Barker (née Gaines) was born. She is an American conservative political activist and former swimmer.

Others born on this day/year

2017: High School Championship Wins

In 2017, as a junior at Station Camp High School, Riley Gaines won the 100-yard butterfly and 100-yard freestyle in the TISCA High School Swim & Dive Championship in Knoxville.

2019: Joins University of Kentucky Swim Team

In 2019, Riley Gaines joined the University of Kentucky's swim team and made the All-SEC Freshman Team. She also made the All-SEC Second Team in 2019.

2019: Meets Louis Barker

In 2019, Riley Gaines met British swimmer Louis Barker at the University of Kentucky. They began dating.

2020: All-SEC Second Team

In 2020, Riley Gaines made the All-SEC Second Team.

2021: NCAA Championships and Olympic Trials Qualification

In 2021, Riley Gaines participated in the NCAA Women's Swimming & Diving Championships, securing second place in the 4 × 200 yd freestyle relay and seventh in the 200 freestyle race, earning her a spot on the All-SEC First Team that year. Furthermore, in 2021, she successfully qualified for the U.S. Olympic Trials.

2021: Olympic Qualification Tryout

In 2021, Riley Gaines was invited to a tryout for a 2024 Olympic qualification event, but failed to qualify for the event proper.

March 2022: Highest National Ranking

In March 2022, Riley Gaines' highest ranking event finish nationally was a 5th place in the NCAA WD1 Championship 200yds Freestyle Final.

March 2022: Ties for Fifth Place with Lia Thomas

In March 2022, while swimming for the University of Kentucky, Riley Gaines tied for fifth place with Lia Thomas in the 200-yard NCAA freestyle championship. Gaines has described the events surrounding the race and the sharing of a locker room, and the experience initiated her activism.

April 2022: Advocacy Against Transgender Athletes

In April 2022, Riley Gaines began advocating against the inclusion of transgender women in women's sports, including lobbying her state representatives to pass a law prohibiting transgender women from women's sports.

April 2022: Retirement From Competitive Swimming

In April 2022, Riley Gaines retired from competitive swimming after the end of her collegiate career.

September 2022: Support for Rand Paul Campaign

In September 2022, Riley Gaines supported the campaign of US Senator Rand Paul by appearing in a TV ad for him, where she shared her criticism of trans women in women's sports.

2022: Graduation from the University of Kentucky

In 2022, Riley Gaines graduated from the University of Kentucky with a degree in health sciences.

2022: Marriage to Louis Barker

In 2022, Riley Gaines married British swimmer Louis Barker.

2022: Southeastern Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Year

In 2022, Riley Gaines was named the Southeastern Conference Women's Swimming and Diving Scholar-Athlete of the Year.

January 2023: Political Appearances

By January 2023, Riley Gaines had participated in a small protest at the NCAA Convention, appeared in campaign advertisements for former US Senate candidate Herschel Walker, and spoken at a Donald Trump rally.

March 2023: Testimony at Texas Senate Committee

In March 2023, Riley Gaines was an invited speaker at a Texas Senate committee in support of legislation that would categorically prohibit transgender college athletes from competing in sports divisions that align with their gender identity.

April 2023: Protest at San Francisco State University

In April 2023, Riley Gaines visited San Francisco State University for a Turning Point USA student chapter event and spoke publicly about her campaign against transgender athletes in women's sports. After the event, she was protested and physically struck twice by a person.

June 2, 2023: Endorsement of Ron DeSantis

On June 2, 2023, Riley Gaines endorsed Ron DeSantis in the 2024 US presidential election.

June 21, 2023: Senate Judiciary Committee Testimony

On June 21, 2023, Riley Gaines appeared as a witness at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing focused on safeguarding civil rights for LGBTQ Americans, sharing her "own personal experience competing with trans swimmer Lia Thomas and having to share the same dressing room."

August 2023: Oklahoma Executive Order Signing

In August 2023, Riley Gaines, representing Independent Women's Voice (IWV), accompanied Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt as he signed an executive order that included a variety of provisions, including a prohibition on transgender women and girls using bathrooms and locker rooms designated for women.

November 2023: FIDE and Ohio Senate Testimony

In November 2023, Riley Gaines confirmed working with FIDE to prevent transgender women from playing in women's chess and testified to the Ohio Senate Government Oversight Committee about her experiences competing with Thomas and on preventing trans women from competing in female sports in Ohio.

2023: Gaines for Girls Podcast

Since 2023, Riley Gaines started hosting the weekly OutKick and Fox Nation podcast Gaines for Girls.

March 2024: Legal Case Against NCAA

In March 2024, Riley Gaines was one of 16 female student athletes who launched a legal case against the National Collegiate Athletic Association over the participation of transgender athletes in women's sports.