Transgender activists disrupted a Missouri library event featuring former University of Kentucky swimmer Riley Gaines and surfer Bethany Hamilton, mocking Hamilton’s shark attack trauma.
The athletes faced backlash for speaking against biological men in women’s sports.
Riley Gaines posted, “How messed up is this? This protester brought a shark stuffed animal to mock Bethany Hamilton who lost her arm to a shark. Miserable, insufferable people. But oh so ‘tolerant,'”
How messed up is this? This protester brought a shark stuffed animal to mock Bethany Hamilton who lost her arm to a shark.
Miserable, insufferable people. But oh so "tolerant" https://t.co/o2yP0gYhXH pic.twitter.com/TbMmY6Wnds
— Riley Gaines (@Riley_Gaines_) February 6, 2024
Gaines wrote in a statement, “This is the tactic they use time and time again. They want so desperately to mock, intimidate, and threaten those they don’t agree with into silence, but this was a step too far. I have no words to describe how messed up it is to directly mock Bethany Hamilton and her traumatic experience that cost her arm by bringing a shark to a children’s story hour. Dare I call this protester an ableist?”
“Bethany embodies a strong, courageous woman that is a role model for all. But at the end of the day, I’m glad those activists came out to the BRAVE Books story hour. They needed to hear the stories read even more than the kids,” she continued.
Brave Books CEO condemned the activists’ behavior as “downright nasty,” while Hamilton, known for her surfing success despite losing her arm in a shark attack, has received death threats for advocating fairness in women’s sports.
Talbot said, “We’ve seen activists at almost every one of our story hours. Sometimes they’re noisy, sometimes they’re dressed in drag, but these were downright nasty.”
“The activist who showed up dressed as a shark to target Bethany Hamilton is a terrible person. Once again, those who claim they are most tolerant turn out to be the most callous,” he continued.
Hamilton posted, “Male-bodied athletes should not be competing in female sports. Period.”
“It makes you sad that society can be so gnarly,” she continued.
Gaines, a vocal advocate for women in sports, criticized the NCAA’s policies regarding transgender athletes.
Despite the incident, Hamilton declined to comment, and Brave Books has not responded to inquiries.
Most Popular:
Bombshell Lawsuit Filed By Biden’s Sexual Assault Accuser
Controversial Way E. Jean Carroll Will Spend Money From Trump Trial