Fencer Refuses to Play, Ends Up Benched Over It

A female fencer found herself bounced from a regional tournament after removing her mask and dropping to one knee rather than compete against a transgender opponent.

NBC News reported that Stephanie Turner received a black card after refusing to compete against Redmond Sullivan, a transgender woman, "resulting in her expulsion from the event."

"The situation unfolded in the Cherry Blossom tournament at the University of Maryland last Sunday [March 30] at College Park, Maryland, in suburban Washington," AFP detailed.

"Stephanie Turner, who competes for the Fencing Academy of Philadelphia, took a knee rather than compete against Redmond Sullivan of Iconic Fencing Club in a pool play match."

Turner misgendered Sullivan in comments to Fox News Digital, saying that she "looked at the ref 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."

She misgendered Sullivan again in comments to ABC News, saying, "As a woman fencing in a women's tournament, I do not believe men should fence in my category."

Turner went on to add: "I prayed about it and decided if Mr. Sullivan and I were to fence face-to-face, then I would peaceably protest by taking a knee."

But USA Fencing, which sanctioned the tourney, validates transgender athletes. ABC News noted that the sports body's "current transgender and non-binary athlete policy was enacted in 2023 and allows athletes to participate in sanctioned events 'in a manner consistent with their gender identity/ expression, regardless of the gender associated with the sex they were assigned at birth.'"

That being the case, Turner's refusal amounted to a violation of the rules.

"USA Fencing told ABC News on Thursday that the decision to disqualify Turner from the tournament was 'not related to any personal statement,'" the outlet relayed, "but because she refused to fence an 'eligible opponent.'"

Added the athletic authority: "USA Fencing is obligated to follow the letter of those rules and ensure that participants respect the standards set at the international level."

The rules – and USA Fencing's deicsion to abide by them – sparked a firestorm of criticism from the right-wing press but also from within the sporting community as a whole. NBC News noted that "gay rights trailblazer Martina Navratilova, who has argued that trans women have unfair physical advantages, [was] among those to weigh in."

In a tweet, Navratilova declared, "This is what happens when female athletes protest!

"Anyone here still thinks this is fair???" the tennis legend went on to add. "I am fuming... and shame on @USAFencing, shame on you for doing this. How dare you throw women under the gender bullshit bus!!!"

Turner characterized the situation as a holy cause, telling ABC News, "I want to thank God for trusting me with this mission to fight for female-exclusive sports and putting me in a place to effectively protest."

"We respect the viewpoints on all sides and encourage our members to continue sharing them with us as the matter evolves," USA Fencing stated, according to AFP.

"But we expect this conversation to be conducted respectfully, whether at our tournaments or in online spaces," the sports body went on to add. "The way to progress is by respectful discussion based in evidence."

The body summed up: "USA Fencing will always err on the side of inclusion," though "We're committed to amending the policy as more relevant evidence-based research emerges or as policy changes take effect in the wider Olympic and Paralympic movement."

"The incident between Turner and Sullivan comes amid a wider debate surrounding transgender athletes in women's and girls' sports," ABC News noted. "In February, President Donald Trump signed an executive order banning transgender athletes from participating in women's sports, fulfilling a promise that was at the center of his 2024 campaign."