Fencer Stephanie Turner Slams USA Fencing’s Policy Flip After Trans Athlete Protest

Women’s fencer Stephanie Turner sparked a firestorm earlier this year when she knelt in protest against a transgender opponent at the Cherry Blossom Open in Maryland, landing her a 12-month probation from USA Fencing. Now, after intense public and federal scrutiny, the organization has backtracked on two polarizing policies, a move Turner calls long overdue but still insufficient.

Last weekend, USA Fencing’s board scrapped a rule that sidelined states with laws deemed unfriendly to LGBTQ rights when selecting national tournament hosts. They also cemented a policy ensuring the national anthem plays at all events, ending debates over its inclusion. Turner, in an exclusive statement, didn’t mince words: “USA Fencing has been hijacked by unpatriotic bureaucrats obsessed with niche politics over growing the sport. Banning states over their abortion or LGBTQ laws is absurd—it’s fencing, not a culture war.”

Turner’s protest against trans athlete Redmond Sullivan ignited global debate and prompted swift repercussions. Her stance led to a Title IX investigation under President Trump’s administration and a contentious congressional hearing in May, where Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene slammed USA Fencing’s state-blacklisting policy as a blatant political bias favoring blue states. “It’s a rigged game that has nothing to do with swordplay,” Greene argued, pointing out that states like Texas, Florida, and Missouri were unfairly excluded.

The fallout forced USA Fencing to rethink its approach. The organization announced plans to revise its gender-eligibility rules, reserving the women’s category exclusively for biological females, though the policy awaits final approval. They’ve also adopted a new, neutral bidding process for event locations, promising tournaments in states like Texas, Florida, and Missouri next season. On the anthem, USA Fencing clarified it’s always been played at nationals but is now officially mandated, including on holidays like Independence Day.

Turner, who stepped away from competition post-probation, remains unrelenting. She’s vowed to push for resignations among USA Fencing’s leadership, accusing them of harassing female athletes who voice concerns. “It’s time for a leadership overhaul and a hard look at their online platforms,” she said, signaling her fight is far from over.