Conservative Superstar Riley Gaines Calls for Protection of Women’s Sports and Spaces at Orlando Empowerment Conference

ORLANDO, Florida (FNN) – Led by conservative superstar and 12x All-American swimmer Riley Gaines, Orlando’s inaugural Women’s Empowerment Conference, hosted by the Leadership Institute at the Rosen Centre Hotel, rallied over 500 attendees to protect women’s rights, particularly in sports and single-sex spaces.

The event, emceed by Leadership Institute Senior Director Angela Faulkner, kicked off with a warm welcome reception that brought together local politicians, community leaders, and guests for an evening of networking. Keynote speaker Riley Gaines was joined by a powerhouse lineup of female leaders including Florida Congresswoman Laurel Lee, Florida Congresswoman Kat Cammack, Florida State Senator Erin Grail, and Florida State Representatives Rachel Plakon, Karen Gonzalez-Pittman, and Kaylee Tuck.

A key focus of the conference was the erosion of women’s and girls’ achievements in sports by men who declare themselves women. Speakers, including detransitioner Chloe Cole and Moms for Liberty Co-Founder Tina Descovich, emphasized that allowing biological males to compete in female sports erases decades of hard-won progress, jeopardizing scholarships and competitive opportunities for women athletes. Gaines, an outspoken advocate for preserving Title IX, underscored the urgency: “If men are allowed in women’s sports and spaces, female sports will no longer exist.”

Panel discussions tackled critical issues such as defending women’s spaces, parental rights, and engaging the next generation of women leaders. Attendees, dressed in white with purple sashes bearing the hashtag #XX≠XY, symbolized their unity in safeguarding women’s unique rights.

The conference was not only a call to action but also a celebration of women’s strength, courage, and resilience, with inspiring stories, performances, and a meet-and-greet with Riley Gaines, who personally encouraged young female athletes to keep fighting for fairness in sports.

As the day concluded, the message was clear: protecting women’s rights is not just a women’s issue but an American one, and the fight for equal opportunities in sports and beyond continues.