During a fencing competition in Maryland, an athlete faced the sport’s harshest penalty for declining to compete against a transgender opponent.
Stephanie Turner participated in the Cherry Blossom Open in Maryland when she discovered she was scheduled to fence against Redmond Sullivan, a transgender athlete.
Upon learning about the match-up, Turner decided not to face Sullivan, but she kept her decision private until the match day.
In a conversation with Fox News Digital, Sullivan explained: “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.'”
On the match day, after completing her warm-ups and four bouts, Turner approached Sullivan on the piste.
Confronting Sullivan, Turner removed her mask and knelt in protest.
Describing the encounter, Turner stated: “Redmond was under the impression that I was going to start fencing. So when I took the knee, I 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. And I will not fence this individual.'”
Turner argued that she felt compelled to protest because she perceived that ‘USA Fencing had not been listening to women’s objections’ regarding gender eligibility policies.
She expressed to Redmond that she held ‘much love and respect’ but refused to fence her.
She added: “Redmond says to me, ‘Well you know, there is a member on the board of directors here who supports me, and there is a policy that acknowledges me as a woman, so I am allowed to fence, and you will get blackcarded,’ and I said, ‘I know.'”
As predicted, officials at the event issued Turner a black card, the highest level of penalty in fencing, which can lead to removal from the competition for major rule violations or unsportsmanlike conduct. USA Fencing clarified to UNILAD that Turner’s penalty was not due to her protest but for refusing to compete against an ‘eligible opponent’.
“According to the FIE (International Fencing Federation) Technical Rules, specifically Article t.113, a fencer is not permitted to refuse to fence another properly entered fencer for any reason,” the spokesperson commented. “Under these rules, such a refusal results in disqualification and the corresponding sanctions. This policy exists to maintain fair competition standards and preserve the sport’s integrity.”
After receiving the black card, Turner explained her actions before the bout committee, where she was given a copy of the association’s transgender policy and required to sign a document acknowledging the black card.
Despite expecting the black card, Turner claimed she signed the document under protest and was escorted from the venue.
In response to Turner’s controversial action, USA Fencing explained: “USA Fencing enacted our current transgender and non-binary athlete policy in 2023. The policy was designed to expand access to the sport of fencing and create inclusive, safe spaces. The policy is based on the principle that everyone should have the ability to participate in sports and was based upon the research available of the day.
“We understand that the conversation on equity and inclusion pertaining to transgender participation in sport is evolving. USA Fencing will always err on the side of inclusion, and we’re committed to amending the policy as more relevant evidence-based research emerges, or as policy changes take effect in the wider Olympic & Paralympic movement.
“We respect the viewpoints on all sides and encourage our members to continue sharing them with us as the matter evolves. It’s important for the fencing community to engage in this dialogue, but we expect this conversation to be conducted respectfully, whether at our tournaments or in online spaces. The way to progress is by respectful discussion based in evidence.”
Turner acknowledged that she had previously avoided events where transgender individuals participated, suggesting that Sullivan might have registered after her for the Cherry Blossom Open.
She expressed that while the decision might ‘temporarily destroy [her] life’, she supports President Donald Trump’s stance on cutting funds to states that allow transgender athletes in women’s sports.
“Something needs to be done, and there are activists who have embedded themselves in authoritative positions in sports bodies,” she asserted.