Riley Gaines Slams Lia Thomas’ ‘Inspiration Award’ as Insult to Women
16th October 2025
Transgender swimmer Lia Thomas is being celebrated in Los Angeles Thursday with a “Voice of Inspiration” award — but not everyone’s applauding.
Thomas, who was born a male and identifies as female, will receive the award at the Violet Visionary Awards, a move that sparked fierce backlash from Riley Gaines.
While Thomas, 26, won the NCAA Division 1 500-yard freestyle in 2022, Gaines, 25, finished fifth in the same race.