My friend,

 

You may have seen me on the news. I’m Riley Gaines -- a recent collegiate athlete who spoke up because a man named “Lia” Thomas declared himself a woman and stole top spots from me and my fellow young women.  

  

I write to you because I know you’re rational. And more than that, you’re a Leadership Institute donor and an American who believes in conservative principles. 

 

At San Francisco State University, I was on a 12-campus tour to give a speech called “Save Women’s Sports” and speak out against radical transgender ideology.  

 

Most times, I’m able to have a civil and respectful dialogue with all sides. But this time, hordes of leftist student agitators stormed the building.   

 

It was the most terrifying experience I’ve ever had. 

 

I had just given a speech when agitators stormed the room. 

 

A man -- wearing a woman’s dress -- punched me twice. 

 

Then I spent three hours barricaded in a classroom while leftist college students just outside the door yelled the most obscene things at me, including 

 

“f*cking transphobic b*tch!” 

 

Emboldened by woke academics and politicians, leftist youth call conservatives “racist," "sexist," "transphobic,” make obscene gestures, and yell the most vulgar and profane things.  

  

And because they say “conservative speech is violence,” they think they’re justified in using real, physical violence to stop us. 

 

But you know what? I’m not deterred.  

 

What I experienced has shown me that I’m doing the right thing. This will not silence me when they want me to be silenced.  

  

It means I need to speak louder. 

 

But it can’t just be me. There has to be an entire generation of young conservatives who will stand tall and speak out. 

  

Will you help young women and young men become the leaders for our country they ought to be?

 

With your help, the Leadership Institute will continue to send me out to college campuses (with security guards!) to make sure my message advances to protect young women in sports.  

 

With your help, the Leadership Institute will create brave young leaders to endure the radical left on campuses and stand up as champions for conservative principles. 

 

Stand bravely with me,  

  

Riley Gaines  

Protecting women’s sports  

Fighting radical ideology