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 Cherry Blossom tournament held at the University of Maryland.

However, as the match was about to begin, Turner took a knee and removed her mask in a protest during the Division 1A Women’s Foil event.

She was then presented with a black card, which indicates immediate exclusion from the competition and suspension for the remaining duration of the event.

Turner had completed four matches before facing Sullivan, who eventually placed 24th out of 39 in the competition. 

Turner shared her thoughts on the matter, stating: ‘I realized that I was going to compete against Redmond, and at that moment, I made the decision to take action. I chose to take a 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

‘I understood that I had to make a stand because the concerns raised by women in USA Fencing were being ignored. Therefore, I took a knee right then. Redmond [Sullivan] had misunderstood my intentions, thinking I was preparing to start the match.’

‘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.’

‘Redmond didn’t hear me, and he comes up to me, and he thinks that I may be hurt, or he doesn’t understand what’s happening. He asks: ‘Are you OK?’ And I said: ‘I’m sorry. I have much love and respect for you, but I will not fence you.’

However, shortly afterwards, USA Fencing produced a statement in support of Sullivan and transgender participation in the sport. 

The statement read: ‘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 and 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 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 related to any personal statement but was merely the direct result of her decision to decline to fence an eligible opponent, which the FIE [International Fencing Federation] rules clearly prohibit.

‘USA Fencing is obligated to follow the letter of those rules and ensure that participants respect the standards set at the international level. We remain committed to inclusivity within our sport while also upholding every requirement dictated by our governing body.’

Transgender athlete Sullivan previously made headlines back in December after making the decision to switch to her college’s women’s team. 

It came after she competed for the girls’ teams at Daniel Hand High School in Madison, Connecticut in track and field events.

The transfer had been criticized by tennis legend Martina Navratilova and the Independent Council on Women’s Sport (ICONs).

Navratilova, who is gay, has been vocal in her opposition to allowing transgender women to compete in female sports and says they have an unfair advantage.

Sullivan appeared confused and asked Turner what was happening during the tournament

‘And again….’ she wrote in a post on X referencing a Reduxx report about Sullivan.

Since his inauguration, Donald Trump has signed executive orders requiring the federal government to recognize only two genders and another titled: ‘Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports.’

In the latter order, the Trump administration vowed to rescind funding to any institution that permits trans athletes to participate in female sports. The order directs the Department of Justice to make sure all government agencies enforce a ban under Trump’s interpretation of Title IX, a law against sex discrimination in education.

Since then, the NCAA has amended its policy and now limits women’s sports to student-athletes assigned female at birth.