557. Balancing Pregnancy, Motherhood and Work | Riley Gaines

Riley Gaines, in a deeply personal announcement, shares her journey towards motherhood and how her background and beliefs prepare her for the new chapter in her life.

Riley Announces She's Expecting a Baby Girl

While the transcript doesn't reveal the gender of Riley's expected baby, additional context indicates she's anticipating the arrival of her first child. Jordan Peterson noted the significant changes that a baby would bring into her life, and Riley herself hinted at an active post-birth schedule with things already booked for late October, despite her due date being in September.

Riley's Background Makes Motherhood Natural

Motherhood to Riley feels natural and right. She talks about how growing up with many siblings and being the second oldest cultivated a nurturing instinct within her. Riley feels that becoming a mother aligns with her purpose. At 25, she couldn't picture a life without motherhood, expressing that everything she's experienced seemed to guide her to this particular destiny. She also mentions the innate desire for motherhood that many women experience as they reach a certain age.

Riley Trusts Faith and Family to Aid Her In Parenthood Transition

Riley to Be Primary Caretaker to Avoid Childcare Risks

Riley places her transition to parenthood under the wings of faith and family support. She shares a poignant moment of gratitude to God, who blessed her with conception in the first month of trying. When Riley faced the crossroads of choosing between activism, dental school, or diving into motherhood, she interpreted the dental school's accommodation and support for her activism as a divine sign.

Her marriage also played a pivotal role—Riley implies that if she hadn't m ...

Riley Advocates Against Transgender Athletes in Women's Sports

Riley Gaines speaks out about her platform and activism following an incident at a national swimming championship involving a transgender athlete. Since then, her advocacy against transgender athletes competing in women's sports has gained pace.

Riley's Trophy Denial Solidified Her Commitment to the Cause

Reflecting on a defining moment at the national championships where she tied with a transgender competitor—but was denied the trophy—Gaines admits that this negative impact on her was what spurred her into action. Despite understanding the issue's gravity prior, her direct experience solidified her commitment. She now feels guilt for previously participating without protest, feeling complicit in the policies allowing transgender athletes to compete in women's sports.

Riley Has Passed Laws in 28 States to Ban Transgender Athletes From Women's Sports

Gaines has been instrumental in policy changes concerning transgender athletes. However, it is important to note that there is no specific information provided that Riley personally passed laws in exactly 28 states.

Riley Advocates For State "Fairness in Women's Sports" Bills Defining Sex and Restricting Biological Males' Participation

Gaines has testified in front of state legislatures that have passed laws aimed at restricting biological males from participating in women’s sports. These include states such as Tennessee, Texas, and Florida. She stresses the necessity of defining the word "woman" in state statutes, advocating for clear legal definitions of gender-related terms.

Gaines also emphasizes her work in 'purple' states where bipartisanship is key to passing "Fairness in Women's Sports" bills, setting precedents for others. She mentions 16 states that have adopted the Women's Bill of Rights, defining terms such as man, woman, boy, girl, mother, father, male, and female. This legislative drive aims to prevent what she and others view as unfair participation of transgender athletes in women's sports, balancing between legislative reform and advocating for women athletes' rights.

In bringing awareness to her cause, Gaines speaks to audi ...

Riley Gaines shares her experience and perspectives on advocating for policies regarding transgender athletes in women's sports. She indicates a commitment to influencing policy at state levels where she finds more openness among legislators.

State Legislators More Receptive to Riley Than Federal Lawmakers

Riley Has Testified Before State Legislatures and Influenced Policy

Gaines expresses a passion for state policy work, traveling across the country to help draft legislation related to transgender athletes and speaking with lawmakers. She teaches them how to discuss these issues and has testified in legislative sessions. Her participation in ceremonial bill signings indicates her influence on policy.

Evidence of her successful advocacy and the passage of laws suggest that state legislators may be more receptive to her views compared to federal lawmakers. Gaines values this work because of the potential impact and considers it remarkable to be part of the process. She mentions that at the state level legislators appear more receptive to her testimony, in contrast to what she perceives as federal lawmakers being untouchable and disengaged.

Peterson's mention of Riley's success implies her impactful work with state legislatures, where she often encounters skepticism from Democrats who deny the issues she raises.

State Progress, Enforcement, and Accountability Challenges

Riley Sees a Shift With More Rejecting "Absurd" Transgender Ideology

Gaines observes a shift at the state level, with more people rejecting what she describes as "absurd" transgender ideology. She highlights the lack of enforcement mechanisms at the state level, such as in West Virginia, where despite laws, a boy competes in girls' shot put because the case is held up legally. This illustrates the challenges in enforcing state le ...

The transgender athlete debate has created a clash of beliefs, with individuals like Riley Gaines positioning the issue as a fight for truth versus an ideology that they see as removing biological reality from the equation. Riley, an athlete and advocate, perceives her stance as aligning with common sense and the protection of women's rights, a perspective she believes is shared by the majority of Americans.

Riley Views Transgender Athlete Issue as Truth vs. Ideology Conflict

Riley Gaines sees the debate over transgender athletes as a conflict between what she considers the truth of biological reality and the ideologies that challenge it. She criticizes Democrats for supporting what she views as inclusive policies at the cost of fairness and safety in women’s sports. Gaines describes her advocacy as part of a larger cause to uphold what she perceives as truth against an opposing ideology that she believes is being pushed by some legislators and activist groups.

Riley Thinks Democrats Increasingly Reject Biological Reality

Gaines notes a shift in societal attitudes, with increasing concerns about the implications of policies that allow transgender participation in women’s sports. Jordan Peterson, during their discussion, suggests that those who advocate for policies allowing what they term as ‘men’ in women's sports may be motivated by malicious envy. Gaines concurs, pointing out that Governor Mills of Maine and others may be ignoring biological reality, risking federal funding to maintain transgender-inclusive policies.

Riley Hopes the Tide Is Turning For Common Sense and Women's Rights

Despite criticism and risks, like the loss of friends or being labeled a grifter, Gaines is hopeful that the tide is turning in favor of what she considers to be common sense. She points to the electoral response and recent legislation in some states as indicators that people are beginning to reject what she labels as the absurdity of transgender ideology. Gaines indicates this legislative progress is protecting women's rights without specifying details on the content of the legislation.

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