Warning: This article discusses discrimination against the transgender community, which may be distressing to some readers.
A female fencer was disqualified from a competition after refusing to compete against a transgender opponent, citing concerns for her ‘own physical safety’ and hoping to bring attention to the issue within governing bodies.
Stephanie Turner, a member of the Fencing Academy of Philadelphia, has stirred significant debate online following her decision to forfeit a match in Maryland.
The 31-year-old was set to compete against 20-year-old Redmond Sullivan at the Cherry Blossom Open in Maryland on March 30.
She received a black card from the referee after refusing to face Sullivan, a transgender athlete representing the University of Maryland, according to ABC News.
The Academy of Fencing Masters describes a black card as marking the ‘definitive and negative end of competition for a fencer’ who has violated the code of honor, a serious penalty in the sport.
Turner declined to compete against Sullivan in the USA Fencing-sanctioned regional event by removing her mask and kneeling on the piste.
She then informed Sullivan of her decision not to engage in the match.
Turner’s actions at the Maryland competition, which was not part of the NCAA tournament, led to her disqualification after she had successfully completed four other matches.
Turner has since explained her rationale, stating she was concerned about getting injured by Sullivan.
“I did this for my own physical safety, because this is a combat sport – and, in competition setting, men do fence a lot harder than women and I don’t want to get hurt,” Turner told the New York Post.
The athlete further claimed she previously avoided signing up for events featuring transgender athletes.
However, she now participates, noting that avoiding certain tournaments is too ‘expensive’.
“Ultimately, I’d never be able to fence if I was just avoiding every tournament where there was a transgender person,” she stated.
Recalling her protest, Turner claims she informed Sullivan of her intent not to compete.
“I’m sorry, but I will not fence you. You’re a man, and I’m a woman, and this is a women’s tournament. I have much love and respect for you, but I will not fence you,” she reportedly told her opponent.
Turner then knelt and refused to compete, resulting in the black card.
Having fenced for 12 years, Turner claims Sullivan was ‘upset’ by her protest.
“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 black carded,’ and I said, ‘I know,’” she told Fox News Digital.
Soon after, Turner was informed by a referee that she had been disqualified from the tournament.
After receiving the black card, she was asked to sign documents acknowledging her forfeiture.
Turner believes it is ‘unfair’ for the United States Fencing Administration (USFA) to permit transgender athletes to compete in female sports.
In a statement to UNILAD, a USA Fencing spokesperson explained that Turner’s penalty was not for her protest but for refusing to fence 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 said.
“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.”
USA Fencing has also acknowledged that discussions about equity and inclusion in transgender participation in sports are ‘evolving’.
They stated: “We 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.”
USA Fencing added that their current policy for transgender and non-binary athletes is aimed at expanding access to the sport of fencing while creating an inclusive and safe environment.
“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,” a spokesperson said.
If you have been affected by these issues and need to talk to someone in confidence, you can contact the LGBT national hotline at 888-843-4564, available Monday to Friday from 4pm-12am ET and Saturdays from 12pm-5pm ET.