- Fencer Stephanie Turner was disqualified from the Cherry Blossom Open after refusing to compete against transgender fencer Redmond Sullivan, kneeling in protest to highlight her opposition to USA Fencing's gender eligibility policy.
- USA Fencing's 2023 policy allows transgender women to compete in female divisions after one year of testosterone suppression, aligning with IOC guidelines. The organization stated Turner's disqualification was for rule violations, not her beliefs.
- Turner defended her protest as a stand for women's rights, asserting that biological differences between men and women make competition unfair and unsafe for female athletes.
- The incident reflects the national debate over transgender athletes in women’s sports, with figures like Martina Navratilova criticizing inclusion policies while organizations like the NCAA adjust rules.
- Turner acknowledged the personal toll of her protest but framed it as a necessary sacrifice to challenge policies she views as unjust in women’s sports.
A female fencer's quiet act of defiance has thrust the contentious debate over transgender athletes in women’s sports back into the spotlight.
Competitive fencer Stephanie Turner, 31, was disqualified from the Cherry Blossom Open at the University of Maryland on Sunday, March 30. Her expulsion came after her refusal to compete against transgender fencer Redmond Sullivan, symbolically kneeling at the start of their match.
The incident, captured in a viral video, has reignited discussions about fairness, inclusion and the future of women’s athletics. Turner defended her actions days after the tournament, telling Fox News that she knelt before their match "because USA Fencing had not been listening to women’s objections" about its gender eligibility policy. "This is a civil rights movement for women and girls," she continued.
"I took a knee immediately," recounted Turner. "I looked at the [referee] and said, 'I'm sorry, I cannot do this. I am a woman, and this is a man. This is a woman's tournament and I will not fence this individual." (Related: MTF transgender fencer beats 14-time women's champion, sparking another debate about INCLUSIVITY and FAIRNESS in sports.)
USA Fencing, the sport's national governing body, defended its gender eligibility policy. According to the organization, Turner's disqualification was not due to her beliefs – but for violating competition rules. "A fencer is not permitted to refuse to fence another properly entered fencer for any reason," the organization said in a statement to the Associated Press.
The policy enacted in 2023 allows transgender women to compete in female divisions after one year of testosterone suppression, aligning with guidelines from the International Olympic Committee. USA Fencing added that the policy "was designed to expand access to the sport and create inclusive, safe spaces."
Turner, however, insists her protest was about preserving fairness. "There is a difference between men and women," she said. "I prioritize the safety and rights of women and girls over trans-identified males."
Fairness vs. inclusion
The incident has drawn sharp reactions from both sides of the debate. Tennis legend Martina Navratilova, a vocal critic of transgender inclusion in women's sports, condemned USA Fencing's handling of the situation.
The controversy arrives amid a broader national reckoning over transgender participation in athletics. President Donald Trump's executive order signed in January sought to bar biological males from women’s sports. This prompted some organizations, including the NCAA, to adjust policies.
Yet USA Fencing, as an autonomous nonprofit recognized by the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee, maintains its own eligibility standards. Turner's protest highlights the tension between institutional policies and grassroots dissent – a conflict playing out in courtrooms, legislatures, and now fencing strips.
For Turner, the fallout has been personal. A private individual who shuns social media, she now finds herself at the center of a media storm. "It will probably, at least for the moment, destroy my life," she admitted.
Still, she stands by her decision, framing it as a necessary sacrifice. "Something needs to be done," she said. As the debate continues, her act of protest may prove to be a pivotal moment in the ongoing struggle to define fairness in women's sports.
Visit GenderConfused.com for more similar stories.
Watch Fox News' Greg Gutfeld asking if the desire to protect women's sports from gender-confused athletes is "predatory."
This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.
More related stories:
TWO THUMBS-DOWN: Female high-school athlete loses spot in state championship to TRANS competitor.
UNR women's volleyball team forfeits match against transgender athlete-led SJSU.
Sources include:
Please contact us for more information.