Sen. Ted Cruz got the best of a civil right leader during testimony during a hearing about women in sports featuring former collegiate swimming star Riley Gaines, who does not advocate for allowing biological men to compete in women’s events.
During the hearing, “Protecting Pride: Defending the Civil Rights of LGBTQ+ Americans,” at which Gaines also provided testimony and argued that Democrats don’t seem to be concerned about her rights as a woman, she was asked by the Texas Republican: “Let me ask you as someone who competed at the elite level, in your experiences, is there a difference between women and men?”
“Of course, I think we learned this had a very young age, watching even 12-and-unders play. Going through puberty causes irreversible advantage that no matter the training, no matter the diet, no matter any alterable change you can make, will overcome that male advantage, especially in sports like swimming, where lung capacity matters so much,” she said. “Even something as silly as throat size, men have, on average a 40% larger throat, which sounds like it’s nothing, but when you’re grasping for air that 40 percent larger throat makes a huge difference and athletic success, not to mention height, you guys know the differences.”
Gaines came to national prominence for opposing the NCAA’s allowing a biological male, Lia Thomas, to swim competitively in all-female events.
At that, Cruz turned to Human Rights Campaign President Kelley Robinson.
Cruz asked, “Do you agree with Miss Gaines that there’s a difference between women and men?”
“If the question is about trans women,” Robinson began.
“I’m just asking, is there a difference between women and men?” Cruz asked again.
“What I can say is that NCAA has rules in place. They’ve had rules in place for the last decade,” Robinson said.
“I’m going to try again. Do you believe there’s a difference between women and men? It’s a yes/no question.” Cruz said. “Do you believe there’s a difference?”
“I think we’re talking about this case with the NCAA,” Robinson replied.
“No, I’m asking a question,” Cruz pressed. “Do you believe there’s a difference between women and men? Most people could answer this very simply, I’m curious if you’re willing to do so.”
As the witness began to answer by noting “definitions relating to sex,” Cruz interrupted and continued his line of questioning.
“So I’m trying to get a yes or no. I’m not trying to get a speech,” he said. “Is there a difference between women and men?
“I think that there are definitions for biological sex which are different than gender,” Robinson responded.
