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Fencer Disqualified After Protest Against Transgender Athlete
A female fencer was removed from a tournament after kneeling and declining to compete against a transgender opponent. The incident highlights the ongoing debate surrounding transgender athletes in women’s sports.
Stephanie Turner’s Protest at Cherry Blossom Tournament
USA fencer Stephanie Turner was scheduled to face Redmond Sullivan at the Cherry Blossom tournament, hosted at the University of Maryland. In a move of protest, as their Division 1A Women’s Foil event match was set to commence, Turner knelt and took off her mask.
Consequently, officials issued Turner a black card, resulting in immediate disqualification from the competition and suspension for its duration.
Prior to this match, Turner had participated in four matches. Sullivan ultimately finished 24th out of 39 competitors in the event.
Turner Explains Her Refusal to Fence
Explaining her actions, Turner stated to Fox News Digital, “I saw that I was going to be in a pool with Redmond, and from there I said, ‘OK, let’s do it. I’m going to take the knee.'”
A female fencer was disqualified from her tournament after taking a knee and refusing to compete against a transgender opponent
USA fencer Stephanie Turner was scheduled to face Redmond Sullivan at the tournament
Sullivan switched college team last year and has since competed against women
Turner elaborated, “I knew what I had to do because USA Fencing had not been listening to women’s objections. I took a knee immediately at that point. Redmond [Sullivan] was under the false impression that I was going to start fencing.”
“So when I took the knee, I looked at the referee and I said: ‘I’m sorry, I cannot do this. I am a woman, and this is a man, and this is a women’s tournament. And I will not fence this individual.'”
Turner continued, “Redmond didn’t hear me, and he comes up to me, and he believes that I may be hurt, or he doesn’t understand what’s happening. He asks: ‘Are you OK?’ And I responded: ‘I’m sorry. I have much love and respect for you, but I will not fence you.'”
USA Fencing Backs Transgender Athlete Policy
Shortly after the incident, USA Fencing released a statement affirming its support for Sullivan and transgender athlete participation in the sport.
The statement clarified: “USA Fencing enacted our current transgender and non-binary athlete policy in 2023. The policy was formulated to broaden access to the sport of fencing and cultivate inclusive, safe environments.”
“The policy is rooted in the principle that everyone should possess the opportunity to participate in sports and was established based on the research accessible at the time.”
“We recognize that the discussion on equity and inclusion regarding transgender participation in sport is evolving. USA Fencing will consistently prioritize inclusion, and we are dedicated to revising the policy as more pertinent evidence-based research emerges, or as policy modifications take effect within the broader Olympic and Paralympic movement.”
“We respect all perspectives and encourage our members to continue sharing them with us as this issue develops. It is crucial for the fencing community to engage in this dialogue, but we expect this conversation to be conducted respectfully, both at our competitions and in online forums. Advancement is achieved through respectful discussion grounded in evidence.”
Turner immediately took a knee and removed her mask before facing Sullivan
Sullivan transferred from the Wagner College men’s team to the women’s team last year
“In the case of Stephanie Turner, her disqualification was not linked to any personal expression but was simply the direct outcome of her choice to refuse to fence a qualified opponent, which the FIE [International Fencing Federation] rules explicitly forbid.”
“USA Fencing is required to adhere to the letter of those rules and ensure that participants uphold the standards established at the international level. We remain committed to inclusivity within our sport while also upholding every requirement dictated by our governing body.”
Sullivan’s Move to Women’s Team and Wider Controversy
Transgender athlete Sullivan previously garnered attention in December after deciding to transfer to her college’s women’s team. This followed competing on girls’ teams in track and field events at Daniel Hand High School in Madison, Connecticut.
The transfer prompted criticism from tennis icon Martina Navratilova and the Independent Council on Women’s Sport (ICONS).
Navratilova, who is openly gay, has voiced strong opposition to allowing transgender women to compete in female sports, arguing they possess an unfair advantage.
Sullivan appeared confused and asked Turner what was happening during the tournament
“And again….” she posted on X, referencing a Reduxx report about Sullivan, reiterating her stance.
Political Context: Trump Administration’s Policies on Gender in Sports
During his presidency, Donald Trump implemented executive orders mandating the federal government to recognize only two genders and another entitled: ‘Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports.’
The latter order from the Trump administration pledged to cut funding to institutions permitting trans athletes in female sports. It directed the Department of Justice to enforce a ban under Trump’s interpretation of Title IX, which prohibits sex discrimination in education.
Subsequently, the NCAA revised its policy, now restricting women’s sports to student-athletes assigned female at birth.