Riley Gaines challenges Dem senator, says rights of women, girls ‘thrown out the window’

Former NCAA swimmer Riley Gaines gave an emotional opening statement at the Senate hearing on "Protecting Pride: Defending the Civil Rights of LGBTQ+ Americans."

Former college championship swimmer Riley Gaines challenged Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Dick Durbin, D-Ill., on Wednesday after he accused Republicans of promoting "hateful rhetoric" by questioning the rights of transgender youth.

Gaines was on Capitol Hill as a witness for the Senate's hearing on LGBTQ civil rights, where Durbin said lawmakers need to be careful when talking about this issue.

"At this point, I'd like to remind our colleagues, our children are listening, and they are in danger," Durbin said. "In fact, today, transgender youth are among the most at risk of homelessness, depression and death by suicide. So, when these young people who are already struggling hear politicians amplify hateful rhetoric that denies their very existence, what message does it send?"

RILEY GAINES MOCKS MESSAGE APPARENTLY SENT TO HARVARD SWIM TEAM ABOUT LIA THOMAS

Riley Gaines challenged Senate Judiciary Chair Dick Durbin during a hearing on Wednesday. (CSPAN)

Later in the hearing, Gaines pushed back and told Durbin he needs to think about biological women and girls who she said are at a disadvantage competing against trans people.

"Sen. Durbin, in your opening statement, you had mentioned this rhetoric," she said. "You had mentioned that, what message does it send to trans individuals? And my comeback to that is, what message does this send to women, to young girls, who are denied of these opportunities?"

"So easily, their rights to privacy and safety thrown out of the window to protect a small population, protect one group as long as they're happy," she said.