Riley Gaines: Becoming an Influencer for Stating "Men and Women Are Different

Riley Gaines, a former All-American swimmer, emerged as a social media influencer after expressing her belief that "men and women are different." Her outspoken advocacy for women's rights has garnered her over 1 million followers on X and she has become a prominent voice in the debate over transgender athletes.

Riley Gaines, a former 12-time All-American swimmer at the University of Kentucky, never expected that her assertion that "men and women are different" would catapult her into the spotlight as a social media influencer. Nevertheless, her unwavering stance on this issue has propelled her to fame and positioned her as a leading advocate for women's rights.

Riley Gaines: Becoming an Influencer for Stating "Men and Women Are Different

In 2022, Gaines made headlines after tying transgender swimmer Lia Thomas in the 200-yard NCAA freestyle championship. Her refusal to be silent about competing against a biological male ignited a fire within her to challenge the growing influence of gender ideology in sports.

"It's wild to me that I've now garnered ... over a million followers just on X alone for saying something that in the nearly 250 years we've been established as a country has never been controversial," Gaines remarked in an interview with Fox News Digital. "But now, and in the world and the time that we live in, it is deemed controversial."

Riley Gaines: Becoming an Influencer for Stating "Men and Women Are Different

Gaines's belief that men and women are fundamentally different extends beyond athletics. She recognizes the negative impact gender ideology is having on women's rights in various sectors, including corporate culture, academia, and even institutions like beauty pageants and sororities.

"We're seeing it in beauty pageants and sororities and in prisons and all over where people are, again, being negatively impacted by the agenda that the people in the White House, President Biden and certainly trickling all the way down are pushing on our society and on our culture," Gaines asserted.

Riley Gaines: Becoming an Influencer for Stating "Men and Women Are Different

Amid the controversy surrounding her advocacy, Gaines has found solace in X, a social media platform known for its commitment to free speech. She has forged meaningful connections on the platform and utilizes it to engage with her followers on a personal level, sharing her love for outdoor activities, animals, and sports.

"There's more to me than just this issue. I'm a big-time hunter ... so I follow a lot of, you know, outdoor hunting, fishing accounts — love that kind of stuff. I'm a big animal lover, have lots of dogs. I follow all the dog accounts. Sports. I'm still very much involved in sports, keeping up with sports. So, I follow my favorite sports teams," Gaines shared about her eclectic use of X.

Riley Gaines: Becoming an Influencer for Stating "Men and Women Are Different

Gaines's social media presence extends beyond her platform as an advocate. She utilizes Instagram to connect with her followers on a more personal level, showcasing her interests and engaging in discussions about topics that resonate with her.

"Social media contributes greatly to staying up to date, keeping up," Gaines said. "It contributes to the joy that I have on a day-to-day basis."

Gaines is grateful for the platform social media has provided her to advocate for women's rights and make a tangible difference in society. She embraces the label of "influencer" and recognizes the responsibility that comes with it.

"I understand the weight that comes with that ... I've got little girls, you know, young girls looking up to me as a role model, and it makes my day. There are very few, I think, people who we can look up to as role models. And I hope to, with my platform through social media, continue to be that person for younger girls, the next generation," Gaines said.

OutKick and Fox News, who share common ownership, contributed to this report.