HARRISONBURG, VA (Rocktown Now) — Turning Point USA at James Madison University hosted former NCAA swimmer Riley Gaines tonight, Tuesday March 10, 2026, at the Festival Conference Center. 

Gaines spoke about her background and what brought her to advocate for fairness in women’s athletics, free speech on college campuses, and civic engagement among young Americans. 

Riley Gaines speaking to James Madison University students. Photo credit: Carolynn Unger.

During her speech, Gaines said one thing she has learned throughout the past few years is that gender ideology is an evil lie. 

“It is an evil lie from the pit of hell. It is a lie that is built on deception. It is a lie that is built on discouragement and destruction,” said Gaines.

Gaines continued by saying that it’s a horrible thing to tell children and adults that they are correct to feel as if they were born wrong.