Riley Gaines claims Penn State CANCELED her speech on trans woman in sports despite university president denouncing censorship – as admin snaps back blaming student group for missing deadline to reserve indoor space

Former college swimmer Riley Gaines took aim at Penn State after they claimed they canceled a speech she was scheduled to give at the school on Tuesday.

A graduate of the University of Kentucky, Gaines, 23, makes a living by speaking out against trans people in sports — and is still slated to speak at State College in Pennsylvania in celebration of what’s being called “Real Women’s Day.”

In a series of social media posts late Monday, the anti-trans activist claimed the event had been canceled — before a statement sent by the school clarified it was still on, and a group that Gaines brought to campus, blamed for missing a booking deadline.

Officials said they are now in contact with Gaines and nonprofit Turning Point USA, and that they are “taking steps to create a safe environment for the event, consistent with university policies and the First Amendment.”

The statement, shared with DailyMail.com, shot down claims by Gaines made an hour earlier and insisted that the school, in anticipation of possible public outcry, pulled the plug on the event – which the swimmer’s prompted a sharp response.

In it, she included video of the school’s president defending free speech as recently as September, in an effort to call out the school’s hypocrisy.

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Former swimmer Riley Gaines, an outspoken critic of trans people in sports, took aim at Penn State on Monday night for canceling a speech she was scheduled to give on Tuesday

The trans-related talk was meant to mark what’s being called “Real Women’s Day,” and Gaines promised to still appear. She also included video of the school’s president defending free speech as recently as September, in an apparent attempt to call out the school’s hypocrisy.

In it, Penn State President Neeli Bendapudi — having assumed her position a little more than a year ago — explains how the school, as a state institution, is “bound by the First Amendment” to bring in speakers “who very will be considered controversial. ‘

She says at one point: ‘I have no doubt that we will come across speakers who many will consider controversial – either because their views are not widely held, or because a speaker espouses ideas that are actively hateful.

‘I share the concern of those who believe that the messages being spread by some individuals are not only offensive but also very hurtful.

‘And again,’ she continued, ‘I stand in unity with those who condemn such speakers and their rhetoric.

“You might ask: If so many individuals, including the president of the university, find these speakers so offensive, why can’t we just ban them from our campuses?” she continues, before citing the school’s duty to protect students’ rights.

“First,” she explains, “as a public university (Penn State) is bound by the First Amendment.”

She goes on to provide an explanation of the supposed purpose of the 231-year-old amendment – billing it ‘as the law of our land protecting citizens from government censorship’.

‘Without the First Amendment,’ she warns, ‘your access to information will be threatened.

“Limiting the speech of one group or individual puts everyone’s rights at risk because the same laws or regulations that are used to silence bigots can be used to silence you,” she says later.

A graduate of the University of Kentucky, Gaines, seen here last March after finishing fifth with Lia Thomas in the 200m freestyle at the NCAA Championships, now makes a living speaking out against trans people to give in sports. She was expected to speak before officials pulled the plug

With the clip behind him, Gaines slammed school officials for seemingly reneging on their vows to protect free speech on campus because of its status as a public school.

With that in mind, Gaines slammed school officials for seemingly reneging on their word.

“No way the president of Penn State makes an entire video explaining why public institutions are legally required to have “bigots” who appear to be like me to speak on campus, then proceed to CANCEL my speech tomorrow,’ she wrote, sharing a series of laughing emojis to broadcast her amusement.

“Have it your way,” she added. “See you tomorrow with a soapbox and megaphone.”

The name of the planned march – apart from being an obvious jab at transgender people – refers to the day’s date, which can be spelled out with the Roman numerals XX. Women have two X chromosomes at birth.

As of 10 a.m. Tuesday, the anti-trans activist known for finishing fifth with Lia Thomas in last year’s 200m freestyle final at the NCAA Championships had yet to issue a statement confirming that she was indeed will not attend.

That said, if held, the talk could set the stage for a potential clash on campus.

In her video, Bendapudi – an Indian-American with almost thirty years of career in academia – explains how funds obtained annually by the school make it difficult for them to play ball with potentially problematic speakers.

“So what can we do about speakers who come to Penn State to anger, hurt and incite members of our community?” Bendapudi asked, before answering: “Speak out clearly and firmly against hate speech as well as other cases of discrimination.’

She encourages dueling protests similar to those seen on Tuesday, then claims: ‘Hurtful rhetoric is causing real fear and anxiety in our community, and those individuals need your support.’

Penn State University’s media relations department did not immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday morning.