Riley Gaines lashes out at 'cowardly' college administrator who draped himself in trans flag after she took to podium to give commencement speech - and removed it before she turned around

Riley Gaines slammed a 'cowardly' college administrator who protested her commencement speech at Adrian College by wearing a trans flag - but removed it before she turned around. 

The swimmer, 24, took to X to lash out at the educator, saying she didn't even realize his silent protest until she watched her speech back again. 

'In truly cowardly fashion, the administrator behind me cloaked himself in a trans flag only after I got to the podium and removed it before I turned back around to see,' she said. 

'Nonetheless, I got a standing ovation from the graduates and friends + families in attendance. Thanks to Adrian College for the invitation!' 

Riley Gaines took to the podium at Adrian College on Sunday to give a commencement speech, but one administrator decided to silently protest her remarks 

The administrator draped a trans flag over his shoulder in an apparent protest over Gaines' opposition to the inclusion of transgender athletes in women's sports 

The swimmer, 24, took to X to lash out at the 'cowardly' educator, saying she didn't even realize his silent protest until she watched her speech back again 

Gaines has been an outspoken opponent of transgender athletes' inclusion in women's sports, arguing biological men hold a physical advantage. 

In her commencement speech at Adrian College, a liberal arts institution in Michigan, on May 5, Gaines alluded to backlash she has faced for her views. 

'The freedom of thought and expression should be cherished by all,' she began, with the administrator sitting behind her pointedly wearing the trans flag over his shoulder. 

'In a world where ideas are increasingly polarized and dissent is often met with hostility, never underestimate the power of your voice to spark change and challenge the status quo.' 

Adrian College did not immediately respond to a request for comment from DailyMail.com.  

In the past, Gaines has been criticized by those who accuse her of being transphobic, allegations she batted off to the Fresno Bee last year as carrying 'literally no weight, no meaning.' 

This included a shocking encounter last April when Gaines was forced to barricade herself in a room after being chased by screaming trans activists during an appearance at San Francisco State University. 

Gaines has been an outspoken opponent of transgender athletes' inclusion in women's sports, and notably competed against controversial transgender swimmer Lia Thomas (pictured together) at the 2022 NCAA Championships 

With her outspoken opposition to transgender inclusion sparking controversy, Gaines used her commencement speech to insist graduates don't shy away in the face of critics. 

'Speak the truth boldly, even when it's unpopular, for it through dialogue and debate that we grow as individuals and as a society,' she said. 

'Never lose sight of the importance of the freedoms that this country was built on.

'Now is the time to unleash your skills, knowledge and talents, and make a difference.' 

Gaines' speech came weeks after she launched a legal challenge to the Biden administration's Title IX transgender protections. 

She joined nine Republican-led states and several conservative groups fighting new rules that bar federally-funded schools and colleges from discriminating against students based on their gender identity in sports. 

'Let's be clear, this is the most anti-woman, anti-reality pursuit we have seen from this administration thus far,' Gaines said in April. 

By expanding protections to trans students, the Biden administration is making it easier for biological males to compete on sports teams for women and girls at schools and colleges, said Gaines.