Transgender activists disrupted a Missouri library event featuring former University of Kentucky swimmer Riley Gaines and surfing legend Bethany Hamilton.
The activists, draped in pride flags, caused disturbances during the children’s story hour, with one individual mocking Hamilton’s shark attack trauma.
“How messed up is this? This protester brought a shark stuffed animal to mock Bethany Hamilton who lost her arm to a shark. Miserable, insufferable people. But oh so ‘tolerant,'” Gaines wrote on X.
How messed up is this? This protester brought a shark stuffed animal to mock Bethany Hamilton who lost her arm to a shark.
Miserable, insufferable people. But oh so "tolerant" https://t.co/o2yP0gYhXH pic.twitter.com/TbMmY6Wnds
— Riley Gaines (@Riley_Gaines_) February 6, 2024
Gaines criticized the left’s intolerance and expressed gratitude for the activists needing to hear the stories read.
“This is the tactic they use time and time again. They want so desperately to mock, intimidate, and threaten those they don’t agree with into silence, but this was a step too far. I have no words to describe how messed up it is to directly mock Bethany Hamilton and her traumatic experience that cost her arm by bringing a shark to a children’s story hour. Dare I call this protester an ableist?” she said.
“Bethany embodies a strong, courageous woman that is a role model for all. But at the end of the day, I’m glad those activists came out to the BRAVE Books story hour. They needed to hear the stories read even more than the kids,” Gaines wrote.
Brave Books CEO Trent Talbot condemned the activists’ behavior as “downright nasty.”
“We’ve seen activists at almost every one of our story hours. Sometimes they’re noisy, sometimes they’re dressed in drag, but these were downright nasty,” Talbot said.
“The activist who showed up dressed as a shark to target Bethany Hamilton is a terrible person. Once again, those who claim they are most tolerant turn out to be the most callous,” he added.
Hamilton, known for her surfing success despite losing an arm in a shark attack, has faced criticism for opposing transgender women competing in professional surfing against biological women.
She has received death threats for her advocacy.
Gaines, a prominent advocate for women in sports, has spoken out against policies allowing transgender athletes to compete in women’s sports.
Hamilton declined to comment on the incident.
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